In a country where cricket is a religion and followers too passionate and maudlin,  any performance in cricket is bound to be scrutinized, criticized and praised a lot more than normal. When Indian cricket team was a one-man-dependent bunch of pussies back in the nineties, it was obvious that a rare talent like Tendulkar would get all adulations that brought forth all media hype and hoopla regarding him. He was already a big star before delivering stellar performances under his belt. I remember his two great innings in Sarjah in the nineties by which he single-handedly brought India to the final and won the final against their rival and much more accomplished team Australia. Tendulakar played probably the best in his entire career back then...but then after that there is not even anything close to that show for the rest of his career. Till now.  

His much criticized dip in the career post 2000 AD largely due to injuries could have easily cost him his place in the team if he was in a more professional team - say Australia. But India being India, he survived the tumultuous phase in his career and is still playing.

I admire the passion and aspiration of the man. A twenty year long career and still going. Gotta admire his persistence. But the gargantuan of a nation that India is and the insatiable passion of its people towards the game are also largely contributing towards his rise to the fame and stardom.