Sachin Tendulkar retired from International cricket over five years ago, but the distinctive chants of ‘Saa-chh-inn, Saa-chh-inn’ haven’t ceased.

Indeed, that’s how admirers at The Westin hotel greeted and, then, bade farewell to The Master on Sunday afternoon.

Sachin was in the city for the IDBI Federal Life Insurance Full Marathon, of which he has been an iconic brand ambassador.

Given the mini-commotion as Sachin came down the hotel’s elevator and moved towards the porch for the ride to the airport, there was time enough only for one question — in any case, he’d given a full-fledged interview late on Saturday (‘Sachin: India have a settled & balanced combination in ODIs’).

Asked to comment on the West Indies’ stunning series win over the much-more fancied England, Sachin told The Telegraph: “The result is good for cricket, more so for the sport in the West Indies… I’d like to make special mention of quick Alzarri Joseph, who took the field despite such a massive personal loss.”

Sachin was referring to the 22-year-old Antiguan playing his part for the West Indies even after learning of his mother Sharon’s demise. Joseph, clearly, showed tremendous mental fortitude and such exemplary commitment.

Alzarri Joseph Agency picture

Jason Holder, the West Indies’ inspirational but under-rated Test and ODI captain, reciprocated by dedicating the extraordinary victory to Joseph and his family.

Turning emotional, Holder said: “It’s difficult to describe the feelings… We started the day with a daunting task, trying to push on with our lead, when we got the news about Alzarri’s mum… We all wanted to rally around one another and wanted to do it for her.”

One Test remains, but the West Indies have already taken a 2-0 lead. It’s not only about pocketing a series, but doing so most emphatically.

Holder and his men won the first Test, in Barbados, by 381 runs; the second, in Antigua, by 10 wickets.

For the past decade, at least, Test wins against the Big Teams have been rare for the West Indies. More rare pulling off two in a row.

Statistics show that the West Indies had two successive victories over Bangladesh, at home, last year. However, the last time that happened at the expense of one of the more established cricket-playing nations was against New Zealand, again at home, in 2012.

Where rankings go, England are No. 3, with the West Indies occupying the No. 8 position.

For the West Indies, this win couldn’t have got any sweeter.