In a rare gesture, Sachin Tendulkar thanks pitch that made him

You usually see singers and dancers do this at the start or end of a performance on a stage. Possibly for the first time in his life as a Test cricketer, Sachin Tendulkar touched and prayed on a pitch in a unique thanksgiving gesture on Saturday. Tendulkar went back to the 22-yards at Wankhede Stadium and stood on it for almost a minute as cameras looked to capture every move he made after India routed West Indies by an innings in Mumbai. The cricket field, after all, has been his biggest stage for more than two decades as a professional cricketer.

The 40-year-old, who put his father, mother and wife right on top of his "thank you" speech, caught quite a few by surprise when he quietly walked back to the pitch and touched it with both hands. After all, the Wankhede pitch, like hundreds of other wickets across the world, had been his 'temple' for the last 24 years. Wife Anjali said Tendulkar had done the same after his last Ranji Trophy game for Mumbai in Lahli (Haryana) last month. She has never seen him doing this in an international match. But Saturday was different. (Also read: Sachin says partnership with wife Anjali is his best ever)

After India won the Test match, skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni and his boys had special plans for Tendulkar. After the Little Master collected a wicket as a souvenir, the players gave him a 'running" guard of honour from the middle of the pitch all the way to the pavilion. Tendulkar was overtaken by emotions as he tried to wipe away tears, the big white floppy hat barely managing to hide the master's feelings. (Also read: Match report)

After the presentation ceremony, Tendulkar made a speech that made almost everyone shed a tear or two. Tendulkar always let the bat do his talking but Saturday saw how gifted he was when expressing his feelings. He was a master with words too, profusely thanking his late father and mother in a rare outburst of emotion.

After the speech, Dhoni and his deputy Virat Kohli chaired Tendulkar on their able shoulders to take the legend for a lap of honour as the crowd chanted "Sachiin, Sachiin," at the top of their voices. The breeze from Arabian Sea just could not sweep away the euphoria at the cauldron called Wankhede. The Tendulkar mood was just too overwhelming.

After the presentation ceremony, Tendulkar made a speech that made almost everyone shed a tear or two. Tendulkar always let the bat do his talking but Saturday saw how gifted he was when expressing his feelings. He was a master with words too, profusely thanking his late father and mother in a rare outburst of emotion. And on a breathtaking note thanked fans by saying: "Sachiin, Sachiin will reverberate in my life till I stop breathing."

And on a breathtaking note thanked fans by saying: "Sachiin, Sachiin will reverberate in my life till I stop breathing." (Pics: Sachin - a full-time family man now)

Tendulkar is leaving Indian cricket in good hands and it was probably appropriate that Dhoni, who has led India for six years now, Kohli, many see him in Tendulkar mould, Shikhar Dhawan and Murli Vijay taking turns to 'carry' a man who has admirably shouldered the burden of Indian cricket for over two decades.

The Little Master made a rather long speech, another first, but in it he left a subtle message for Team India players. He was an integral part of the Indian squad during the height of the match-fixing scandal in the Eighties and Nineties and at a time when the game has been plagued by spot-fixing and unethical practices, Tendulkar said: "I have been very proud to be part of Team India. I will miss the dressing room. You are the lucky ones to serve this wonderful game. I have full faith in you to serve India in the right spirit and with the right values."

Special people make special gestures. Sachin Tendulkar, on Saturday, proved why he is called 'God' of cricket and will never 'retire' from the game in our lifetime.