Jayojit Basu fell in love with cricket at the age of three because of Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar. At 24, he plays the sport as a professional because Tendulkar inspired him to be a cricketer. The Bengal opener — he was part of the Ranji Trophy team in 2011-12 and 2012-13 — pays a fanboy tribute to Tendulkar, telling the master why it doesn’t matter whether he scored a ton or 10 in his last Test at Eden.

I am 24, you have completed 24 years of international cricket. In all these years, there has not been a period when you, Tendulkar sir, have not touched my life in some way or the other. Not just me, millions around the world acknowledge that you have been more than just another talented cricketer — a man who brought joy to the heart and glory to the country in a manner unparalleled in the history of the game.

You and me go back a long way. I was three when the 1992 World Cup was held in Australia and New Zealand, and my mom tells me that I was in awe of you even at that age. So much so that I would wake up in the middle of the night to ask how and why you got out in a particular match!

My love for the game grew with my respect for you the cricketer and the human being. My cricket upbringing was all about you — your straight drive, your cover drive, your trademark backfoot punch and that famous flick. You guided me through each step of my life in cricket, you had the answers to all the queries in my mind.

Who would have thought that many years later, on my Ranji Trophy ODI debut as an opener, the batsman at the non-striker’s end would be the one with whom you formed the most brilliant opening pair to have played in that format of the game.

Yes, none other than Sourav Ganguly was my partner in that match. I was, of course, in awe of the man and at the back of my mind was the image of you batting with him!

What you have achieved as a cricketer is too vast for me to sum up. But I will always remember your 137 against Pakistan in Chennai, the tornado innings in Sharjah against the Australians and that upper cut in the 2003 World Cup off Shoaib Akthar.

Watching you step out to bat at Eden on Thursday made me realise your greatness all over again. Millions of hearts stop beating when you come out to bat and you haven’t disappointed them often.

Trust me, you didn’t today. The legend endures.