Sachin Tendulkar failed yet once again and this time on his home turf in Mumbai. Lot was expected of him and everyone anticipated that he would give the crowd something to cheer about. But alas! He was out for just eight after was clean bowled by Monty Panesar.

It would be harsh to say that Sachin has lost his touch but then the way he has been playing late shows that his reflexes are not the same as it used to be.

The batting maestro, who has almost all the batting records to his name, is the only player in the history to have scored 100 international centuries and also spend 23 years playing cricket at the highest level. But Sachin’s slump in form over the recent times have given rise to speculation that whether he still has it in him to deliver for India.

His last Test century came against South Africa in Cape Town in January 2011 and after that he scored 80 against Australia in Sydney. And since then he scores read: 15, 8, 25, 13, 19, 17, 27, 13 and 8. His performance somewhere down the lane is bound to create about his ability to be the same potent force that he used to be.

It looks like Sachin’s shelf-life at the international level is coming to an end. For a player who has played 23 years of international cricket knows it best when to retire, but then at times recent performance weighs down past.

His technique in the recent times have been questioned by former greats and with the youngsters stepping up on the gas every time they turn up in Indian colours, it would not be very long that people might start calling him a liability in the team.

He earlier said that he would assess his future after the England series and with two flops in two innings perhaps the time for serious introspection has come. The Master Blaster has himself agreed that he does not much cricket left in him and it about time that he makes the tough call.

The 38-year-old batsman has played with dignity and his aura as a cricketer can hardly be matched by anyone. He has fans across the whole world both on and off the field. He is one of the few players who are respected by fans of the opposing team.

For a man who had played cricket for so long with his head held high, he should not give anyone a chance to point fingers at him and hold him responsible should India meet same fate as last season in England and Australia.

He has changed the face of Indian cricket and players like him come once in a lifetime. But then his slump in form does indicate that the time has come to draw curtains on his illustrious career with his pride.

By Indian Sports News Network