Don't compare Sachin and Dhoni

Creating a stir and being a living legend are two different things. Congratulations to MS Dhoni for having inked the mega deal with Rhiti Sports, but media reports of Dhoni's "overtaking" Sachin and "snatching" his crown (endorsements) not only insult the little Big Man of Indian cricket, but also are in bad taste.

Don't compare brand with band. Band has several meanings. One of which means a series of ornaments. It also means to tie together. And Sachin has both these qualities. He is not the jewel in the crown; he is the crown. He is the thread that binds the team. He is the man who stands up for his teammates. Remember, how he stood up for Harbhajan in that "monkey" episode with Andrew Symonds.

His achievements and sacrifices for Indian cricket cannot be measured in money. My intention is not to explore the lexicon and play with words like brands and band, but I want to drive home one message: don't compare brand with band (series of ornaments).

MS Dhoni has come a long way. From his mane to money, Dhoni (read Dhani) has made his imprint in the history of Indian cricket. But comparing him as a brand with Sachin is unjust. Sachin Tendulkar, especially for cricket lovers, is the almighty and today it does not matter how much he is paid for endorsing a product. Sachin has been the country's brand ambassador and may continue to remain so, perhaps forever.

It was Sachin who lost his father during the 1999 World Cup, came home for three days, and returned to play for the country and score a century! Guess why he looks up every time he crosses a milestone. His greatness lies in what the greats have to say about him. Sir Donald Bradman had said: "He reminds me of myself."

Hailing his heroics, Mark Taylor, the former Australian captain had said: “We didn’t lose to a team called India. We lost to a man called Sachin Tendulkar.” And Mathew Hayden had said, "I have seen God, and he bats at number 4."

A soldier is not judged by the weapon he possesses or the Kurukshetra he wins. He is judged by his  character and how he chooses to uses his weapons on that particular day. There's no point talking about the runs he has scored. Instead, one has to see how the master blaster has inspired a generation of fiercely motivated youngsters that will carry forward his legacy.

Money can never be a yardstick for greatness, it surely maps the celeb's saleability. Not to forget, years ago, Sachin began his endorsement career with Band-Aid!