u00a0It is all very well giving a national hero an easy one to retire on, but sport is about competition, and when that is not a priority, we must wonder. Tendulkar did recapture some of his youth on the 24th anniversary of his debut, and in the end, it was the dignity and professionalism of the Old Master which stood out on a day when two of his successors made centuries.

A brilliant catch at slip, a moment of hushed disbelief in the stadium, and a quick departure after a final wave to the adoring fans. No longing, lingering look of love. Suddenly it was over, with Deonarine becoming a trivia question of future generations, the Eric Hollies in the Tendulkar saga.