By Aayush Puthran
In 2006, Greg Chappell believed that Sachin Tendulkar had reached the evening of his career. Even the most diehard fans of the Little Master believed that Dilhara Fernando’s yorker in the 2007 World Cup was the last ball he had faced of the grand cricket extravaganza called the World Cup. Even four years later in 2011, when he tamed the same lions in his own home ground, many held the same belief, but with different emotions.
With a continuous run of scores not reaching the elusive three figure mark, the latest cry out is for Tendulkar’s retirement from the 50 overs format.
Nobody doubts his greatness. Most of them are not even questioning his ability to regain form. The desperation rises simply from the need to build a team for the 2015 World Cup.
But it would be hardly surprising if the genius goes on to be a pivotal part of the World Cup team to Australia and ends up as the highest run-getter.
Unlike Sourav Ganguly, Tendulkar is not regarded as the comeback man. He has simply stayed in tune with times. He has readjusted his game time and again to get the better of his back injury, tennis elbow and the changing demands of the game.
Tendulkar’s ODI stats since 2009
Matches 40
Runs 1834
Average 48.26
Highest 200*
During this period, he also recorded three scores of over 150. He fine-tuned his role in the team without compromising on the quality of his batting or the feeling of hopelessness he instilled in the bowlers.
In cricket, stats are not the best way to reveal greatness, unless they are for players like Anil Kumble or Courtney Walsh). In most other cases it is the character of the career or simply the approach with which excellent performances outdid one’s own outstanding achievement every time counts.
There might be opposite views on whether Tendulkar’s stats magnify or simply state the truth about the performer. But nobody is discussing his greatness. It is simply a pointer to those who believe there isn’t much left for Sachin to prove.
There are questions about his lack of interest to perform in the shorter format. But with thousands of people having researched and written on his life, little does anyone know if not cricket, then what excites Tendulkar!
His fitness and childlike enthusiasm on the field is a testimony to the hunger that still persists. Yes, it is true that he owns more batting records than anyone in cricket. But to believe that with every greater achievement, he has lost his appetite to excel would be stupid. Especially considering it now when he is on the verge of getting his 100th international century.
Picking his games is just one of the ways in which he has managed to keep his body in shape to last the rigorous of the hectic cricket calendar.
When Tendulkar missed his ton at Lord’s, many believed that it was the last opportunity of the master to score a century at the Mecca of cricket. With the way he was batting on that tour, it would’ve taken a die-hard optimist to believe that he will ever play on English soil. Similar feelings did the rounds on his tour to England in 2011. Would a Test team to England in 2015 with Tendulkar on board be surprising?
Blooding youngsters who can’t outdo Tendulkar with their performance just for the heck of it would be a redundant idea knowing very well that it is not impossible for Tendulkar to play another edition of the grand tournament.
All of this might sound a little overboard. But I’m a diehard optimist. Why shouldn’t I be? His greatness lies not only in meeting unjust expectations continuously but also going beyond these expectations and reaching (I dare say) the “impossible”.
After all, he is not called God for nothing!
PS: It won’t be surprising if Rohit Sharma retires from cricket before Tendulkar. (Fine, this one is a bit too much!)
In 2006, Greg Chappell believed that Sachin Tendulkar had reached the evening of his career. Even the most diehard fans of the Little Master believed that Dilhara Fernando’s yorker in the 2007 World Cup was the last ball he had faced of the grand cricket extravaganza called the World Cup. Even four years later in 2011, when he tamed the same lions in his own home ground, many held the same belief, but with different emotions.
With a continuous run of scores not reaching the elusive three figure mark, the latest cry out is for Tendulkar’s retirement from the 50 overs format.
Nobody doubts his greatness. Most of them are not even questioning his ability to regain form. The desperation rises simply from the need to build a team for the 2015 World Cup.
But it would be hardly surprising if the genius goes on to be a pivotal part of the World Cup team to Australia and ends up as the highest run-getter.
Unlike Sourav Ganguly, Tendulkar is not regarded as the comeback man. He has simply stayed in tune with times. He has readjusted his game time and again to get the better of his back injury, tennis elbow and the changing demands of the game.
Tendulkar’s ODI stats since 2009
Matches 40
Runs 1834
Average 48.26
Highest 200*
During this period, he also recorded three scores of over 150. He fine-tuned his role in the team without compromising on the quality of his batting or the feeling of hopelessness he instilled in the bowlers.
In cricket, stats are not the best way to reveal greatness, unless they are for players like Anil Kumble or Courtney Walsh). In most other cases it is the character of the career or simply the approach with which excellent performances outdid one’s own outstanding achievement every time counts.
There might be opposite views on whether Tendulkar’s stats magnify or simply state the truth about the performer. But nobody is discussing his greatness. It is simply a pointer to those who believe there isn’t much left for Sachin to prove.
There are questions about his lack of interest to perform in the shorter format. But with thousands of people having researched and written on his life, little does anyone know if not cricket, then what excites Tendulkar!
His fitness and childlike enthusiasm on the field is a testimony to the hunger that still persists. Yes, it is true that he owns more batting records than anyone in cricket. But to believe that with every greater achievement, he has lost his appetite to excel would be stupid. Especially considering it now when he is on the verge of getting his 100th international century.
Picking his games is just one of the ways in which he has managed to keep his body in shape to last the rigorous of the hectic cricket calendar.
When Tendulkar missed his ton at Lord’s, many believed that it was the last opportunity of the master to score a century at the Mecca of cricket. With the way he was batting on that tour, it would’ve taken a die-hard optimist to believe that he will ever play on English soil. Similar feelings did the rounds on his tour to England in 2011. Would a Test team to England in 2015 with Tendulkar on board be surprising?
Blooding youngsters who can’t outdo Tendulkar with their performance just for the heck of it would be a redundant idea knowing very well that it is not impossible for Tendulkar to play another edition of the grand tournament.
All of this might sound a little overboard. But I’m a diehard optimist. Why shouldn’t I be? His greatness lies not only in meeting unjust expectations continuously but also going beyond these expectations and reaching (I dare say) the “impossible”.
After all, he is not called God for nothing!
PS: It won’t be surprising if Rohit Sharma retires from cricket before Tendulkar. (Fine, this one is a bit too much!)
