The farewell of Sachin Tendulkar, one of cricket's greatest icons, remains etched in the hearts of fans worldwide. His final Test match at Mumbai's Wankhede Stadium in 2013 wasn't just a farewell to a glorious career but also a deeply personal moment for Tendulkar.

As he reflected on his journey, the match held special significance, not just for him, but for his family-particularly his mother. Tendulkar revealed why he specifically requested the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to schedule his final match at Wankhede.

Despite playing cricket for nearly three decades, his mother, Rajni Tendulkar, had never seen him play in person due to health constraints. "I played for 24 years for India and some more before that -- almost 30 years in total -- and my mother had never seen me play," Tendulkar shared during Wankhede Stadium's 50th-anniversary celebration. "Her health was such that she couldn't travel. I requested to have my last match in Mumbai so that my mother could finally see why I left home for 24 years."

The BCCI honoured his heartfelt request, ensuring the legendary cricketer's farewell was a profoundly sentimental occasion. Watching from a wheelchair in the stands, Rajni Tendulkar finally witnessed her son's mastery live -- a moment Sachin described as a fitting culmination to his career.

The emotional weight of the match wasn't lost on anyone. From the standing ovation by the crowd to the respect shown by the visiting West Indies team, the occasion transcended the boundaries of sport. Tendulkar's fluent knock of 74 in his final innings was vintage Sachin-filled with precision and grace.

However, the farewell's most touching moment came when Tendulkar spotted his mother on the big screen during the final over. "They cut to my mother, then Anjali, then my kids. I couldn't hold back. It felt like someone was playing with my emotions," Tendulkar recalled, sharing how the cameraman's perfectly timed shots left him teary-eyed.