1890-Playing It My Way_Sachin Tendulkar

Bowling at The Oval in 2002 in what was a very exciting Test series.

The whole team went for a ride in New Zealand in 2002. They kept driving us straight at a cliff and then turning at the very last minute – it was great fun.

With Sunil Joshi and Ashish Nehra – enjoying ourselves in the Caribbean in 2002.

Battlefield Centurion: on my way to 98 in the much-anticipated clash with Pakistan in the 2003 World Cup.

Recuperating after elbow surgery in 2005. It was the most frustrating injury of my career.

Listening to the children at a home for the underprivileged in Bangalore in 2003.

Don’t be fooled by the smile! This was one of the scariest experiences of my life – the Sky Walk on the ramp at the Sky Tower in Auckland.

Facing Australia in 2003–4. Making runs against the world’s best team was always enjoyable.

Shaking hands with an old adversary. The 2004 Sydney Test marked the end of Steve Waugh’s fantastic career.

This is where Daddy works. With Anjali, Sara and Arjun, as well as Anand and Annabel Mehta at the MCG in December 2003. It was the first time I had taken Arjun and Sara inside a stadium.

Above: With Anil Kumble: one of the best triers on the field.

Congratulating Virender Sehwag on reaching 300 in Multan in 2004 – a terrific Test innings.

With Indian and Pakistani soldiers at the Wagah border in 2004.

It meant a lot when my batting hero, Sunil Gavaskar, congratulated me on reaching his record of 34 Test hundreds.

John Wright and I are great friends. John, why did you have to take that catch in New Zealand in 1990?

With one of the best batsmen of all time and a very good friend, Brian Lara.

With Mark Knopfler of Dire Straits, one of my all-time favourite bands, in Mumbai. I treasure the guitar he gave me.

With Amitabh Bachchan: one of India’s biggest cultural icons.

Playing chess with the legendary Viv Richards in Sri Lanka. If only I could bat like my hero!

Andrew Symonds and Harbhajan Singh during the controversial Sydney Test in January 2008.

Do you recognize this face? I had to play a Test match the next day!

Playing an upper cut to Brett Lee on the way to a very satisfying 154* at Sydney.

Congratulations from Ricky Ponting after I passed Brian Lara’s record of Test runs at Mohali in October 2008.

With Rahul Dravid, Sourav Ganguly and VVS Laxman. We spent many memorable years together.

Another peak scaled. We are the number one Test side after beating Sri Lanka in Mumbai in 2009.

At a party organized by Mukesh and Nita Ambani to celebrate my twenty years in international cricket in 2009.

Celebrating the IPL win with the Mumbai Indians in 2013. Which cricketer hit a six off the last ball he played in the IPL? Answer: yours truly!

Arjun and Sara: the two little diamonds of my life.

With Anjali at my fortieth birthday celebration in Kolkata on 24 April 2013.

Walking out to bat in the World Cup final at the Wankhede in April 2011. That win will always remain the highest point of my career.

Sangakkara caught Dhoni, bowled Yuvraj – a huge moment in the final.

Gary Kirsten, one of the best coaches I have played under.

My dream fulfilled – relishing victory on the shoulders of Yusuf Pathan and Harbhajan Singh.

With Honourable President Pratibha Patil the day after winning the final.

Finally the trophy is ours – in front of the Gateway of India in Mumbai.

What a champion! With Roger Federer at Wimbledon in 2011.

Later on Yuvi confessed, ‘Ki paaji aap toh bahut bhari ho!’ (Oops! Paaji did not know you were that heavy!)

Lata Mangeshkar and Asha Bhosle: two of my all-time favourite singers. It is always a privilege listening to them.

Finally the wait is over. The 100th international hundred in Dhaka in March 2012.

The next day, my friends from the media kindly presented me with this special cake.

My core strengths – with my brothers and sister and their better halves after receiving the Order of Australia in 2012.

My bats adorned with the tricolour before my 200th and last Test. I was so excited I couldn’t resist taking this picture and sharing it with Anjali.

Acknowledging the crowd after making 74 in my final innings, at the Wankhede in November 2013. I wasn’t sure if I would get another chance to thank everyone.

The final few moments – with Anjali, Arjun and Sara at the presentation ceremony.

‘Mama, please control yourself!’ – Arjun and Sara consoling Anjali as she struggles to hold back her tears during my farewell speech.

The last goodbye – I hope I have been able to leave some lasting memories.

The notes for my speech that I carried with me on my last day in international cricket.

Paying my respects to the 22 yards – the final namaskar.

Bharat Ratna – the ultimate honour. With Honourable President Pranab Mukherjee in New Delhi on 4 February 2014.

Showing the Bharat Ratna to Achrekar Sir. I hope I have been a good student and made you proud.