The 20-year dream Sachin Tendulkar's career in cricket has been a testimony to his unflagging love for the game Tweet

Martin Crowe and Rahul Dravid discuss the three contenders for the Cricketer of the Generation award

Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do, so throw off the bow lines, sail away from safe harbour, catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore, Dream, Discover.

- Attributed to Mark Twain

A thoughtful, wise man was our Mr Twain. He knew how we so easily tie ourselves up in knots, becoming boxed in, with limited thinking and endeavour. Then along comes a beacon, a shining light, to show us the way with actions of discovery and dream-weaving. In cricket, for these last 20 years and more, that light has been Sachin Tendulkar.

Selecting a 16-year-old in a tough man's world was courageous, and the apprenticeship Tendulkar completed by the age of 20 was equal to the confidence vested in him. He threw off the bow lines and caught a wind. He loved the strong force, the exploration, the unknown. By age 20, his sails were full and there was no stopping his peregrination, his journey, his pilgrimage to pay homage to the great game of cricket.

Sachin undertook this quest for a votive purpose: a vow to love the game as taught to him by his father. The true meaning of father and son sits right here. Ramesh Tendulkar inspired his boy to dream. And as Sachin revealed in his farewell speech, three decades later, it was a lifelong sentiment that drove him on.

1993-2013: two decades of greatness February 11-12, 1993: Scores his first Test century at home. Hits 24 fours and a six in his 165 against England.

Scores his first Test century at home. Hits 24 fours and a six in his 165 against England. March 27, 1994: Makes 82 off 49 balls opening in ODIs for the first time.

Makes 82 off 49 balls opening in ODIs for the first time. October, 1995: His Rs 31.5 crore contract with WorldTel makes him the world's richest cricketer.

His Rs 31.5 crore contract with WorldTel makes him the world's richest cricketer. February-March, 1996: With 523 runs at 87.16, he's the top scorer in the World Cup.

With 523 runs at 87.16, he's the top scorer in the World Cup. August 8, 1996: Named India captain at 23. Sacked 15 months later after India win three of 17 Tests under his leadership.

Named India captain at 23. Sacked 15 months later after India win three of 17 Tests under his leadership. February-March, 1998: Gets his maiden first-class double-hundred, and two hundreds and a fifty, in three Tests against Australia.

Gets his maiden first-class double-hundred, and two hundreds and a fifty, in three Tests against Australia. April 22-24, 1998: Scores back-to-back ODI hundreds against Australia in Sharjah, in the "Desert Storm" series.

Scores back-to-back ODI hundreds against Australia in Sharjah, in the "Desert Storm" series. January 30-31, 1999: Makes 136 in the fourth innings in Chennai against Pakistan with an injured back. Gets out with 17 to win; India fall short by 13.

Makes 136 in the fourth innings in Chennai against Pakistan with an injured back. Gets out with 17 to win; India fall short by 13. March 20, 2001: Scores a famous century in Chennai against Australia. India win the series 2-1.

Scores a famous century in Chennai against Australia. India win the series 2-1. March 31, 2001: Becomes the first player to score 10,000 runs in one-day cricket.

Becomes the first player to score 10,000 runs in one-day cricket. February-March, 2003: Scores 673 runs in the World Cup.

Scores 673 runs in the World Cup. March 16, 2005: Becomes the fifth man to score 10,000 Test runs.

Becomes the fifth man to score 10,000 Test runs. December 10, 2005: Becomes the leading centurion in Test cricket, overtaking Sunil Gavaskar's 34.

Becomes the leading centurion in Test cricket, overtaking Sunil Gavaskar's 34. August, 2007: Makes 228 runs in his first Test series win outside the subcontinent, as India beat England 1-0.

Makes 228 runs in his first Test series win outside the subcontinent, as India beat England 1-0. January 4, 2008: Scores an unbeaten 154 at the SCG, his first century in more than two years and 19 Tests against opposition other than Bangladesh.

Scores an unbeaten 154 at the SCG, his first century in more than two years and 19 Tests against opposition other than Bangladesh. October 17, 2008: Breaks Brian Lara's record for most Test runs.

Breaks Brian Lara's record for most Test runs. November 5, 2009: Goes past 17,000 ODI runs during his 175 off 141 balls in an unsuccessful chase of 351 against Australia in Hyderabad.

Goes past 17,000 ODI runs during his 175 off 141 balls in an unsuccessful chase of 351 against Australia in Hyderabad. February 24, 2010: Becomes the first male player to score 200 in an ODI.

Becomes the first male player to score 200 in an ODI. December 19, 2010: Becomes the first to score 50 Test hundreds, in Centurion.

Becomes the first to score 50 Test hundreds, in Centurion. April 2, 2011: Is part of a World Cup-winning team in his sixth attempt.

Is part of a World Cup-winning team in his sixth attempt. March 16, 2012: More than a year after scoring his 99th international hundred, Tendulkar gets his 100th, in an ODI against Bangladesh in Mirpur.

More than a year after scoring his 99th international hundred, Tendulkar gets his 100th, in an ODI against Bangladesh in Mirpur. November 16, 2013: An emotional India bids farewell to Tendulkar on his home ground, the Wankhede Stadium. It's his 200th Test.

"The most important person in my life, and I have missed him a lot since 1999, when he passed away - my father. Without his guidance, I don't think I would have been standing here in front of you. He gave me freedom at the age of 11, and told me that [I should] chase my dreams, but make sure you do not find shortcuts. The path might be difficult, but don't give up. And I have simply followed his instructions. Above all, he told me to be a nice human being, which I will continue to do and try my best. Every time I have done something special [and] showed my bat, it was [for] my father."

Incredible love is what Sachin had for cricket, and cricket for Sachin. Not a bad word said in 24 glorious years representing a nation addicted to loving a game - more than any other nation has cherished any such pastime. Nothing but sheer love abounded. And gratitude.

His novice years as an international cricketer were revealing and yet predictable. He struggled a little, as he should. He learned about failure and pain and he gained much in his first 20 Tests. Tours to Pakistan and New Zealand in 1989-90, England in 1990 (on which he made his first Test hundred, at Old Trafford) - his first ten Tests gave him a worldly education.

In his 11th Test, he played at home for the first time. It would be another ten Tests before he played another on familiar soil, in between touring the globe further - to Australia, Zimbabwe and South Africa.

Upon reaching the ripe old age of 20 he had played 25 Tests, scoring just over 1500 runs at 44, with five splendid centuries against three giants of the game - England and Australia (twice each), and South Africa. He had already welcomed Shane Warne onto the stage with dismissive disdain in his 148 not out (his second Test hundred) in Sydney, but unleashing hell was to come.

By his 30th Test he was averaging over 50. From there he would never look back. By his 100th Test he was averaging over 55 per innings, with 31 centuries notched on his belt. And so the love continued. And we all loved him back so dearly.

Over the next decade he kept sailing strongly, stopping at times to fix a broken halyard or a torn wing; his body was well managed yet the never-ending, sometimes gruelling, ritual had to take its toll. While his body needed constant nourishment, his mind and more notably his heart, surged on.

After 18 years at the top, concern of an ending was expressed by onlookers, yet Sachin stood fast. His ardent reply was to be patient, that these waters needed careful manoeuvring. It was India he was referring to, regarding protection and safety, not his own. His patriotism was extraordinary. And the loyalty he displayed to the cause, day in day out, was a mind-blowing trait. It never wavered, always resolute, forever caring.

“ Cricket is not just about performance. It's also about life. It's about how you leave an imprint on the young: the imprint of integrity, of honesty and of gratitude. Sachin Tendulkar lived this quality all his life

Through the nineties India began to find a new confidence and power as a nation. Mahatma Gandhi would never have foreseen such a mighty force awoken due to the birth of the computer age, yet it did and with the economy thriving and the cricket captivating, the one figure who kept emerging as the inspirer was Tendulkar himself. India rightly were in love with their pied piper. They flocked to see him play.

In late 1995, in my final match, after 14 long years serving my country, we played the fifth one-day international in Nagpur. Enjoying the small boundaries, New Zealand posted their own record one-day score.

The jury that picked ESPNcricinfo's Cricketer of the Generation Russel Arnold Former Sri Lanka allrounder, Sambit Bal Editor-in-chief, ESPNcricinfo, Habibul Bashar Former Bangladesh captain, Ian Bell England batsman, Rahul Bhattacharya Cricket writer and novelist, Harsha Bhogle Commentator, presenter and writer, Lawrence Booth Editor, Wisden Cricketers' Almanack, Geoffrey Boycott Former England batsman, Daniel Brettig Assistant editor, ESPNcricinfo, Mark Butcher Former England batsman, Ian Chappell Former Australia captain, Aakash Chopra Former India batsman, Ed Cowan Australia batsman, Mike Coward Cricket writer, Tony Cozier Commentator and writer, Martin Crowe Former New Zealand captain, Daryll Cullinan Former South Africa batsman, George Dobell Senior correspondent, ESPNcricinfo, Rahul Dravid Former India captain, Jeffrey Dujon Former West Indies wicketkeeper, Ramachandra Guha Historian and cricket writer, Gideon Haigh Cricket historian and writer, Michael Holding Former West Indies bowler, David Hopps UK editor, ESPNcricinfo, Tamim Iqbal Bangladesh batsman, Mahela Jayawardene Former Sri Lanka captain, Gaurav Kalra Senior editor, ESPNcricinfo, Akram Khan Former Bangladesh batsman, Athar Ali Khan Former Bangladesh batsman, Younis Khan Pakistan batsman and former captain, VVS Laxman Former India batsman, Ranjan Madugalle Former Sri Lanka batsman, Sanjay Manjrekar Former India batsman, Suresh Menon Editor, Wisden India Almanack, Andrew Miller Editor, the Cricketer, Mark Nicholas Commentator, writer and presenter, Iain O'Brien Former New Zealand bowler, Mike Procter Former South Africa allrounder, Ramiz Raja Former Pakistan captain, Barry Richards Former South Africa batsman, Mark Richardson Former New Zealand batsman, Osman Samiuddin Sportswriter, the National, Kumar Sangakkara Former Sri Lanka captain, Mike Selvey Former England bowler, Ed Smith Former England batsman, Heath Streak Former Zimbabwe bowler, Mark Taylor Former Australia captain, Sharda Ugra Senior editor, ESPNcricinfo, John Wright Former New Zealand captain, Waqar Younis Former Pakistan bowler

During the lunch break, there was a disaster. Part of the ageing, jam-packed stadium collapsed and injured over 70 spectators. Nine were killed. In the dressing rooms, oblivious to the tragedy, both sides prepared for the chase by India, led at the top by Tendulkar. As the rescue operations moved in, the game restarted. Then, as Tendulkar took strike, the stunned and concerned crowd, amid all the melee, turned their eyes to the middle, transfixed. No one moved, they just watched. As the rescue continued, the dream ride that everyone was on began again. Another Tendulkar innings was underway. This was the behaviour of a nation obsessively engrossed in every movement of its chosen son.

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Of course there have been others - Brian Lara, Jacques Kallis and Shane Warne, to name three who led with different, phenomenal skills. These men thrilled and enthralled generations, for they too played long into the night, fearlessly and instinctively. Their passion, courage, longevity and genius will never be forgotten. They stood apart in their own nations' tapestry, setting the bar high, leaving deep vacancies. They were freaks of nature. And it was a privilege to watch such richness exude across the playing fields, especially when they competed against each other.

When Warne bowled to Tendulkar it was like watching a volcano erupt. The heat was at it its greatest, exploding forth. Tendulkar on his day was that eruption. No one has ever forgotten it.

Cricket is not just about performance. It's also about life. It's about how you leave an imprint on the young: the imprint of integrity, of honesty and of gratitude. Sachin Tendulkar lived this quality all his life and he shared it with us all, as only he could.

It can then be said, without hesitation or demurring, that the greatest cricketer of the last 20 years is that little master from Maharashtra, the man who sailed away with every record and every heart, due to the love of a father, and of a game that fulfilled his soul.