Personification means giving an inanimate (non-living) object human traits and qualities, such as emotions, desires, sensations, physical gestures and speech. Say, for example, while watching the final match of World cup 2011, some people in the stadium were chanting prayers and when the moment arrived, there were tears(happy) in the eyes. The nearby market gets shut down when there is India-Pakistan match.
The biggest example of personification of Cricket is Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar. Last time, when he was leaving the ground with wicket in his hand and blend of emotions on his face, it seemed as if a child is parting from his mother. Nobody will remember how many records he has made, but the way he has played will be remembered throughout generations. From the day he has started playing, he has shown what the cricket has been for him. There were some occasions where his efforts proved futile on the ground but his saying "When stones are thrown at you, convert them into milestones" is proved by him. The most beautiful gesture of his - whenever he scores 100, he takes his helmet down and looks up at the sky. The Jersey No.10 is only made for him. Every player who plays for his own country has love and determination for the sport, but above all what Sachin Tendulkar did was he brought the nation closer to cricket, not to just see it only as a game. On his retirement day, when he was walking up the stairs, it seemed that from now Cricket will be only a match between two countries. When I saw him retiring, all the childhood memories related with cricked brushed up my mind. I remember some 10 years back or so, when our tution teacher gave us homework and went to other room, we switched on TV and started watching test match, Rahul Dravid and Sachin Tendulkar were playing and we all were shouting "Sachin! Sachin!". Every player loves cricket but His love for Cricket is undefined. He has always earned respect.
When all the players were carrying Sachin Tendulkar on their shoulders with National flag wavering in his hand, it showed that he has given not only world-class records but He has carried the responsibility of India on his shoulders respectfully. And then he came back, bowed down, touched the pitch and took "Aashirwad" and went back forever. When He was declared out, all the uproar in the stadium came to halt and it seemed cricket lost its personification. And then the last time He signed on the camera.
"Legends never retire"
PostScript : This video is more beautiful than this blog.
