Warne: "You have to decide for yourself whether you're bowling well or not. He's going to hit you for fours and sixes anyway." Kasprowicz has a superior story. During the Bangalore Test, frustrated,he went to Dennis Lillee and asked, "Mate, do you see any weaknesses?" Lillee replied, "No Michael, as long as you walk off with your pride that's all you can do."
Warne says, he has enormous power
"It's a bit discouraging. In India he ran down the pitch and hit me off the toe of the bat. It should have gone to mid-on but it went for a six."
On that day in Sharjah,when he scored an epic 142, it was in evidence again. Gaekwad was stunned, for Tendulkar was running singles like a demon -- four 3s, fifteen 2s, thirty-five 1s -- yet hitting sixes (five of them) in between.
"The running tires you, yet he was never out of position for a shot."
"In an over I can bowl six different balls. But then Sachin looks at me with a sort of gentle arrogance down the pitch as if to say 'Can you bowl me another one?'" -- Adam Hollioke to a friend.
So what is it Tendulkar, what's the motivation, what moves you? Records? No. He just says, flatly, "It's the challenge that drives me."
Says Shastri: "I have never seen such arrogance, such contempt for bowlers since Richards."
Yet it takes work, talent bolstered by industry. Tendulkar will sweat at the nets on a line that troubles him. He would, prior to tours of the West Indies, get net bowlers to fire away at him from 18 yards. When he was told that like the Sri Lankans who discomforted him by bowling down the legside, Warne might aggravate him similarly, he went to the nets in Mumbai, snuffed the pitch where he expected the ball to land and asked the bowlers to bowl there. When Warne arrived, the greatest batsmen in the world awaited him. Ready. Now the search begins, in all earnestness, for the chink of daylight in his stance, the edge of weakness in his method. Tendulkar himself sees none. "I don't think I need to improve in any specific area, just generally." The aussies are as unhelpful. Steve Waugh feels -- and check this for a weakness -- "his only danger is seeing the ball too well and going for his shot too early". Warne says bowl dot balls to frustrate him. Kasprowicz says, "Don't bowl him bad balls, he hits the good ones for fours."
They know, Tendulkar knows there is no fragility apparent. As with all such men, it is only themselves who can prove to be the enemy; Tendulkar may nurture his genius or spurn it, the responsibility of greatness lies with him. It seems he understands that. He is surer now than before, less driven to petulant strokes or rakish indiscretion. That innings was just a reminder, a page from a book, that this is a batsman who was conceived under God's full attention. Imagine, what greater deeds remain, the other pages of that book are yet to be turned. Of that night some final stories remain. Chappell saying, "What would I want of his batting? Everything." And then finally, Ajay Jadeja, echoing us all: "I can't dream of an innings like that. He exists where we can't."
Friday, July 10, 2009
That epic innings of 142 by sachin at sharjah...few details about it!!!
I don't think anything is impossible. Of course, I'm not always right. -- Sachin Tendulkar, after scoring 142 against Australia
This is the first thing about genius. Self-belief. Inside the stomach of some men smoulders a defiance that is abnormal, a will so powerful that no ordinary barometer can register it. We dream, Tendulkar does. On that day when the sandstorm blew in to stop play -- it was God announcing he had taken his seat -- Tendulkar told coach Anshuman Gaekwad in the dressing room: "Don't worry I'll be there in the end." Don't worry! With four of the topline batsmen out and 94 runs to get in 87 balls; Vinoo Mammen of MRF telling his wife, "Let's go to the hotel and cry", and hope generally abandoned by all. Except by one man. Later, a spectator says, "It's sad one billion people in India have to rely on one man." This is the second thing about genius. Desire. They could have turned off the lights in Sharjah, Tendulkar's shots would have illuminated the city,such is the sunlight of his batting. India has qualified for the final, but he paces the dressing room hissing, "I was not out." It was the rage of a man who believes he has no limits. He was not there to help India qualify, he was there to win the match. We small, Tendulkar lives bigger. Says Allan Border, Australian coach, a day later:
"Hell, if he stayed, even at 11 an over he would have got it." This is the third thing about genius. Fear. From the Aussie dressing room bustling with hard men, all sorts of stories emerge. One strategy is "get the bugger to the other end"; another says, "We bowled short, on the off stump,nothing worked." Michael Kasprowicz is sort of speechless. In the first match,he hits Tendulkar on the pads, smirks, gets hit for two successive fours. This match it's two successive sixes. Now he swears, "Shit, I'm sick of this *$#%."
This is the final thing about genius and that innings. Respect. next day, by the pool side of the Princeton Hotel, WorldTel boss Mark Mascarenhas throws a party for Tendulkar. Friday, final day, is his birthday and it strikes you starkly that as he turns 25, he has more centuries (14 in one dayers, 16 in Tests) than he has years in front of his name. Meanwhile, in a corner the conversation goes something like this:
Border : It's scary, where the hell do we bowl to him.
Ian Chappell : Yeah mate, but that's with all great players. Border : Well yes, but imagine what he'll be like when he's 28. I'd like to see him go out and bat one day with a stump. I tell you he'd do okay.".
This is the first thing about genius. Self-belief. Inside the stomach of some men smoulders a defiance that is abnormal, a will so powerful that no ordinary barometer can register it. We dream, Tendulkar does. On that day when the sandstorm blew in to stop play -- it was God announcing he had taken his seat -- Tendulkar told coach Anshuman Gaekwad in the dressing room: "Don't worry I'll be there in the end." Don't worry! With four of the topline batsmen out and 94 runs to get in 87 balls; Vinoo Mammen of MRF telling his wife, "Let's go to the hotel and cry", and hope generally abandoned by all. Except by one man. Later, a spectator says, "It's sad one billion people in India have to rely on one man." This is the second thing about genius. Desire. They could have turned off the lights in Sharjah, Tendulkar's shots would have illuminated the city,such is the sunlight of his batting. India has qualified for the final, but he paces the dressing room hissing, "I was not out." It was the rage of a man who believes he has no limits. He was not there to help India qualify, he was there to win the match. We small, Tendulkar lives bigger. Says Allan Border, Australian coach, a day later:
"Hell, if he stayed, even at 11 an over he would have got it." This is the third thing about genius. Fear. From the Aussie dressing room bustling with hard men, all sorts of stories emerge. One strategy is "get the bugger to the other end"; another says, "We bowled short, on the off stump,nothing worked." Michael Kasprowicz is sort of speechless. In the first match,he hits Tendulkar on the pads, smirks, gets hit for two successive fours. This match it's two successive sixes. Now he swears, "Shit, I'm sick of this *$#%."
This is the final thing about genius and that innings. Respect. next day, by the pool side of the Princeton Hotel, WorldTel boss Mark Mascarenhas throws a party for Tendulkar. Friday, final day, is his birthday and it strikes you starkly that as he turns 25, he has more centuries (14 in one dayers, 16 in Tests) than he has years in front of his name. Meanwhile, in a corner the conversation goes something like this:
Border : It's scary, where the hell do we bowl to him.
Ian Chappell : Yeah mate, but that's with all great players. Border : Well yes, but imagine what he'll be like when he's 28. I'd like to see him go out and bat one day with a stump. I tell you he'd do okay.".
Sachin's likes n dislikes!!!
Sachin's Likes and Dislikes
Memorable Day - Beating Pakistan in the 1992 World Cup.
Worst Day - Losing the first ODI in RSA in 1992.
Heroes - Gavaskar, Viv Richards, Imran Khan, Sandeep Patil
Greatest Influence - My family.
Current Players Admired - Vinod Kambli, Brian Lara, Jonty Rhodes.
Ambition - To be number one in the world.
Favourite Ground - Sydney Cricket Ground.
Least Favourite Ground - Bangalore.
Biggest Complaint - None.
Changes to Improve - None. I enjoy the game!
Funniest Moment - Batting with Vinod Kambli in a school game. Vinod dropped his bat and started to fly a kite.
Other Sports Followed - Tennis in particular.
Hobbies - Collect CD's.
Other Stars - Maradona, Boris Becker.
Favourite Actors - Amitabh Bachchan, Madhuri Dixit, Nana Patekar.
TV Show - None in particular.
Film - Coming To America.
Spare Time - Listening to peaceful music, with friends.
Embarrassing Moment - People asking for my autograph and then asking me my name!
Music - Pop.
Hates - Rumours.
Car - Maruti
Food - Steak.
Drink - Orange/Apple Juice and Water.
Favourite Restaurant - Bukhara, Maurya Sheraton, New Delhi.
Holiday Resort - Yorkshire, Headingley.
Hotel - Park Royal Darling Harbour, Sydney.
Clothes - Official - jacket and tie; else jeans and t-shirt.
Wildest Dream - Listen to loud music and watch movies. And then in the evening, go for a very long drive.
Newspapers - Times of India, Mid-day, Afternoon Dispatch.
Authors - Haven't started reading books yet.
Magazines - Sportstar
Career - Too early to decide - Cricket for the moment.
Motto - Be true to yourself.
Memorable Day - Beating Pakistan in the 1992 World Cup.
Worst Day - Losing the first ODI in RSA in 1992.
Heroes - Gavaskar, Viv Richards, Imran Khan, Sandeep Patil
Greatest Influence - My family.
Current Players Admired - Vinod Kambli, Brian Lara, Jonty Rhodes.
Ambition - To be number one in the world.
Favourite Ground - Sydney Cricket Ground.
Least Favourite Ground - Bangalore.
Biggest Complaint - None.
Changes to Improve - None. I enjoy the game!
Funniest Moment - Batting with Vinod Kambli in a school game. Vinod dropped his bat and started to fly a kite.
Other Sports Followed - Tennis in particular.
Hobbies - Collect CD's.
Other Stars - Maradona, Boris Becker.
Favourite Actors - Amitabh Bachchan, Madhuri Dixit, Nana Patekar.
TV Show - None in particular.
Film - Coming To America.
Spare Time - Listening to peaceful music, with friends.
Embarrassing Moment - People asking for my autograph and then asking me my name!
Music - Pop.
Hates - Rumours.
Car - Maruti
Food - Steak.
Drink - Orange/Apple Juice and Water.
Favourite Restaurant - Bukhara, Maurya Sheraton, New Delhi.
Holiday Resort - Yorkshire, Headingley.
Hotel - Park Royal Darling Harbour, Sydney.
Clothes - Official - jacket and tie; else jeans and t-shirt.
Wildest Dream - Listen to loud music and watch movies. And then in the evening, go for a very long drive.
Newspapers - Times of India, Mid-day, Afternoon Dispatch.
Authors - Haven't started reading books yet.
Magazines - Sportstar
Career - Too early to decide - Cricket for the moment.
Motto - Be true to yourself.
GQ's Interview with sachin!!!
New Delhi, Jun 2 (PTI)
Sachin Tendulkar, who had taken up the cudgels against criticism of senior players last year, has said that he hardly pays heed to criticism. “People will have opinions but that doesn’t mean they are correct.
They are only opinions and I have bigger things to deal with. Guys that have all the time in the world to discuss these things, discuss them.
I don’t,” Tendulkar told men’s fashion magazine ‘GQ’. Last year, Tendulkar had defended his senior teammates who were under attack during India’s home series against Australia.
Tendulkar said the senior players had made major contributions, which needed to be acknowledged and appreciated. Dwelling on his own career, Tendulkar said he had moments when he could have “got carried away” but hard work and resolve helped him reach the pinnacle of success.
“Given the things that have happened in my life it would have been easy to get carried away,” Tendulkar said. “There were times when I felt that, yeah, I should bunk practice and spend time with my friends and go out for a movie.
But my coach would turn up and make me sit on his bike and take me all the way to practice,” he recalled. Tendulkar, who holds umpteen cricketing records said success did not come automatically to him.
“I have made an effort. It doesn’t happen automatically,” he said.
Twenty20 cricket’s rising popularity notwithstanding, Indian batting maestro Sachin Tendulkar feels the format should never be allowed to grow at the expense of Test cricket, which “requires more skills”.
“I don’t think that one should make that compromise (of Twenty20 spreading at the cost of Test cricket),” Tendulkar told the latest issue of ‘GQ’ magazine.
“Test cricket definitely requires more skills. In a Twenty20 match, if somebody has batted well for 45 minutes, he has done brilliantly. But that doesn’t happen in Test cricket, where you have to bat well for a couple of sessions (about four hours),” he added.
Tendulkar feels bowlers don’t concede an inch in Test cricket but would be more than happy to give away singles in Twenty20 as they know only big hits can work to a team’s advantage in the shortest format.
“In Twenty20 cricket, a bowler is happy giving you singles. In Test cricket, they are trying to get you out all the time,” explained the man who has played just one Twenty20 match for the national team.
The veteran right-hander said the current Indian team is a fabulous one and a unit that everyone would want to captain.
“I don’t think there is anybody in the Indian team who wouldn’t want to captain such a fantastic side. Not because they want to grab it or whatever, but because … It is a fabulous team,” he said....
Sachin Tendulkar, who had taken up the cudgels against criticism of senior players last year, has said that he hardly pays heed to criticism. “People will have opinions but that doesn’t mean they are correct.
They are only opinions and I have bigger things to deal with. Guys that have all the time in the world to discuss these things, discuss them.
I don’t,” Tendulkar told men’s fashion magazine ‘GQ’. Last year, Tendulkar had defended his senior teammates who were under attack during India’s home series against Australia.
Tendulkar said the senior players had made major contributions, which needed to be acknowledged and appreciated. Dwelling on his own career, Tendulkar said he had moments when he could have “got carried away” but hard work and resolve helped him reach the pinnacle of success.
“Given the things that have happened in my life it would have been easy to get carried away,” Tendulkar said. “There were times when I felt that, yeah, I should bunk practice and spend time with my friends and go out for a movie.
But my coach would turn up and make me sit on his bike and take me all the way to practice,” he recalled. Tendulkar, who holds umpteen cricketing records said success did not come automatically to him.
“I have made an effort. It doesn’t happen automatically,” he said.
Twenty20 cricket’s rising popularity notwithstanding, Indian batting maestro Sachin Tendulkar feels the format should never be allowed to grow at the expense of Test cricket, which “requires more skills”.
“I don’t think that one should make that compromise (of Twenty20 spreading at the cost of Test cricket),” Tendulkar told the latest issue of ‘GQ’ magazine.
“Test cricket definitely requires more skills. In a Twenty20 match, if somebody has batted well for 45 minutes, he has done brilliantly. But that doesn’t happen in Test cricket, where you have to bat well for a couple of sessions (about four hours),” he added.
Tendulkar feels bowlers don’t concede an inch in Test cricket but would be more than happy to give away singles in Twenty20 as they know only big hits can work to a team’s advantage in the shortest format.
“In Twenty20 cricket, a bowler is happy giving you singles. In Test cricket, they are trying to get you out all the time,” explained the man who has played just one Twenty20 match for the national team.
The veteran right-hander said the current Indian team is a fabulous one and a unit that everyone would want to captain.
“I don’t think there is anybody in the Indian team who wouldn’t want to captain such a fantastic side. Not because they want to grab it or whatever, but because … It is a fabulous team,” he said....
Saturday, October 11, 2008
The Almighty's details
Personal information
Full name: Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar
Nickname: Little Master, Tendlya, Master Blaster, The Great One
Born: 24 April 1973 (1973-04-24) Bombay, India
Height: 5 ft 5 in (1.65 m)
Batting: style Right-handed
Bowling: style Right-arm leg break/off break/medium
Role: Batsman
International information
Test debut (cap 187) 15 November 1989: v Pakistan
ODI debut (cap 74) 18 December 1989: v Pakistan
ODI shirt no. 10
Teams information
Years
Bombay Under-15s (1987/88)
West Zone Under-15s (1987/88)
West Zone Under-15s (1987/88)
Bombay Under-17s (1987/88-1988/89)
West Zone Under-17s (1987/88)
Bombay Under-19s (1988/89)
1988–present Mumbai
1992 Yorkshire (Main ListA) ;
Indians (1990-2008)
World XI (1990-1996/97)
Rest of the World XI (1991-1998)
India XI (1993/94-2006/07)
India (1993/94-Present)
Wills' India and Pakistan XI (1995/96)
M Azharuddin's XI (1998/99)
Asian XI (1999/00)
International XI (2006)
2008 Mumbai Indians
Indians (1990-2008)
World XI (1990-1996/97)
Rest of the World XI (1991-1998)
India XI (1993/94-2006/07)
India (1993/94-Present)
Wills' India and Pakistan XI (1995/96)
M Azharuddin's XI (1998/99)
Asian XI (1999/00)
International XI (2006)
2008 Mumbai Indians
Career statistics
Tests ODIs FC LA
Matches played
150 417 250 504
Runs scored
11,877 16,361 20,640 19,913
Batting avg
54.23 44.33 58.63 45.25
54.23 44.33 58.63 45.25
100s/50s
39/49 42/89 65/95 53/107
39/49 42/89 65/95 53/107
Top score
248* 186* 248* 186*
248* 186* 248* 186*
Balls bowled
3,862 8,009 7,221 10,185
3,862 8,009 7,221 10,185
Wickets
42 154 67 201
42 154 67 201
Bowling average
52.66 44.12 61.20 41.90
52.66 44.12 61.20 41.90
5 wickets in innings
0 2 0 2
0 2 0 2
Best bowling
3/10 5/32 3/10 5/32
3/10 5/32 3/10 5/32
Catches
98 122 165 157
Few Records of the Little Master !!!
1)Tendulkar and Brian Lara are the fastest to score 10,000 runs in Test cricket history. Both of them achieved this in 195 innings.
2)On 3 January 2007 Sachin Tendulkar (5751) edged past Brian Lara's (5736) world record of runs scored in Tests away from home.
3)Career Average 54.95 - the highest average among those who have scored over 10,000 Test runs.
4)Highest number of Test centuries (37).
5)Tendulkar's record of five centuries before he turned 20 is a current world record.
6)Tendulkar has scored centuries against all test playing nations. He was the third batman to achieve the distinction after Steve Waugh and Gary Kirsten. The current list also includes Brian Lara, Ricky Ponting, Rahul Dravid, Jacques Kallis, Adam Gilchrist and Marvan Attapattu.
7)Sachin's 37th ton against Bangladesh during the 2007 series 2nd Test, made historyas the 1st time the top four batsman of any team had all scored centuries in asingle innings. Dinesh Karthik made 129, Wasim Jaffer 138 and Rahul Dravid 129 were the other centurions.
ODIs
1)Most Stadium Appearances: 90 different Grounds.
2)Most Runs: 15,703 Runs at just over 44 runs per innings (as of 5th November 2007),. He is the leading run scorer in the ODI format of the game and the only player ever to cross the 15,000 run mark.
3)First player to reach 10,000-11,000-12,000-13,000-14,000 and 15,000 ODI runs.
4)Holds the record for scoring 1,000 ODI runs in a calendar year. He has done it seven times - 1994, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2000, 2003 and 2007
5)Tendulkar has scored over 1000 ODI runs against all major Cricketing nations.
6)Sachin was the fastest to reach 10,000 runs taking 259 innings and has the highest batting average among batsmen with over 10,000 ODI runs
7)Most centuries: 41
8)Only player to have over 100 innings of 50+ runs (41 Centuries and 85 Fifties)(as of 15th Oct, 2007)
9)Fifties: 85. Tendulkar holds the record for the most ODI fifties,
10)Most centuries vs. Australia, South Africa, New Zealand, Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe.
11)Most Man of the Match Awards: 55 Man of the Match Awards
12)Most Man of the Series Awards: 14 Man of the Series Awards
13)Most ODI runs in a calendar year: 1,894 ODI runs in 1998.
14)Most Centuries in a calendar year: 9 ODI centuries in 1998
15)Sachin Tendulkar with Sourav Ganguly hold the world record for the maximum number of runs scored by the opening partnership. They have put together 6,271 runs in 128 matches that includes 20 century partnerships and 21 fifty run partnerships
16)20 century partnerships for opening pair is also a world record.
17)Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid hold the world record for the highestpartnership in ODI matches when they scored 331 runs against New Zealand in 1999 at the LBS, Hyderabad
18)Sachin Tendulkar has been involved in six 200 run partnerships in ODI matches - a record that he shares with Sourav Ganguly and Ricky Ponting.
19)Most runs (1,796 at an average of 59.87 as on 20th Mar 2007) in World Cup Cricket History including 4 centuries & 13 fifties with a best score of 152* against Namibia in 2003 world cup.
20)673 runs in 2003 Cricket World Cup, highest by any player in a single Cricket World Cup
21)Tendulkar was the first batsman in history to score over 50 centuries ininternational cricket. He has now scored 78 (37 in Tests, 41 in ODIs).
22)Has the most overall runs in cricket, (ODIs+Tests+Twenty20s), as of 30th June 2007 he had accumulated almost 26,000 runs overall.
2)On 3 January 2007 Sachin Tendulkar (5751) edged past Brian Lara's (5736) world record of runs scored in Tests away from home.
3)Career Average 54.95 - the highest average among those who have scored over 10,000 Test runs.
4)Highest number of Test centuries (37).
5)Tendulkar's record of five centuries before he turned 20 is a current world record.
6)Tendulkar has scored centuries against all test playing nations. He was the third batman to achieve the distinction after Steve Waugh and Gary Kirsten. The current list also includes Brian Lara, Ricky Ponting, Rahul Dravid, Jacques Kallis, Adam Gilchrist and Marvan Attapattu.
7)Sachin's 37th ton against Bangladesh during the 2007 series 2nd Test, made historyas the 1st time the top four batsman of any team had all scored centuries in asingle innings. Dinesh Karthik made 129, Wasim Jaffer 138 and Rahul Dravid 129 were the other centurions.
ODIs
1)Most Stadium Appearances: 90 different Grounds.
2)Most Runs: 15,703 Runs at just over 44 runs per innings (as of 5th November 2007),. He is the leading run scorer in the ODI format of the game and the only player ever to cross the 15,000 run mark.
3)First player to reach 10,000-11,000-12,000-13,000-14,000 and 15,000 ODI runs.
4)Holds the record for scoring 1,000 ODI runs in a calendar year. He has done it seven times - 1994, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2000, 2003 and 2007
5)Tendulkar has scored over 1000 ODI runs against all major Cricketing nations.
6)Sachin was the fastest to reach 10,000 runs taking 259 innings and has the highest batting average among batsmen with over 10,000 ODI runs
7)Most centuries: 41
8)Only player to have over 100 innings of 50+ runs (41 Centuries and 85 Fifties)(as of 15th Oct, 2007)
9)Fifties: 85. Tendulkar holds the record for the most ODI fifties,
10)Most centuries vs. Australia, South Africa, New Zealand, Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe.
11)Most Man of the Match Awards: 55 Man of the Match Awards
12)Most Man of the Series Awards: 14 Man of the Series Awards
13)Most ODI runs in a calendar year: 1,894 ODI runs in 1998.
14)Most Centuries in a calendar year: 9 ODI centuries in 1998
15)Sachin Tendulkar with Sourav Ganguly hold the world record for the maximum number of runs scored by the opening partnership. They have put together 6,271 runs in 128 matches that includes 20 century partnerships and 21 fifty run partnerships
16)20 century partnerships for opening pair is also a world record.
17)Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid hold the world record for the highestpartnership in ODI matches when they scored 331 runs against New Zealand in 1999 at the LBS, Hyderabad
18)Sachin Tendulkar has been involved in six 200 run partnerships in ODI matches - a record that he shares with Sourav Ganguly and Ricky Ponting.
19)Most runs (1,796 at an average of 59.87 as on 20th Mar 2007) in World Cup Cricket History including 4 centuries & 13 fifties with a best score of 152* against Namibia in 2003 world cup.
20)673 runs in 2003 Cricket World Cup, highest by any player in a single Cricket World Cup
21)Tendulkar was the first batsman in history to score over 50 centuries ininternational cricket. He has now scored 78 (37 in Tests, 41 in ODIs).
22)Has the most overall runs in cricket, (ODIs+Tests+Twenty20s), as of 30th June 2007 he had accumulated almost 26,000 runs overall.
Quotes by other players on the master blaster !!!
Don Bradman:
I saw him( Sachin) playing on television and was struck by his technique, so I asked my wife to come look at him. Now I never saw myself play, but I feel that this player is playing much the same as I used to play, and she looked at him on Television and said yes, there is a similarity between the two...hi compactness, technique, stroke production... it all seemed to gel!
Abdul Qadir:
I was fielding in the covers when Tendulkar came out to bat in his debut Test at Karachi. I still remember Waqar Younis was at his peak form at that time. Tendulkar tried to drive Waqar through the covers off his very first ball in Test cricket but was beaten all ends up. But I walked to captain
Imran Khan and told him 'this kid looks very good' and Imran agreed with me. Then came the one-day international at Peshawar, which was reduced due to rain. When Tendulkar came at the crease I told him that not to get bogged down against me and he should try and hit me at all parts of the Arbab Niaz Stadium. It was not that I bowled badly but it was due to his ability that he hit me for I think 24 odd runs in one over.
Then it became a routine for me to chat with young Tendulkar whenever we met in the nets or in the hotel. I used to give him tips how to play spinners and I must admit he was a good listener and always tried to learn. After the home series we went to Sharjah and although Tendulkar didn't score that many runs against my bowling I gave him tips off the field whenever we had time.
Allan Donald:
His shot selection is superb, he just lines you up and can make you look very silly. Everything is right in his technique and judgement. There isn't a fault there. He is also a lovely guy, and over the years I've enjoyed some interesting chats with him… Sachin is in a different class to Lara as a
professional cricketer. He is a model cricketer, and despite the intolerable pressures he faces back home, he remains a really nice guy… Sachin is also the best batsman in the world, pulling away from Brain Lara every year…
We'd heard all about him modelling himself on Sunil Gavaskar, and he had the same neatness, the same time to spare, the same calmness - and a very heavy bat.
Anil Kumble:
I am very privileged to have played with him and seen most of the runs that he has scored. I am also extremely happy to have shared the same dressing room... He is a very reserved person and generally keeps to himself. He is very determined, committed and doesn't show too many emotions. He just goes about doing his job.
Barry Richards:
First and foremost, Tendulkar is an entertainer and that for me is as important factor as any fact or figure. Too often boring players have been pushed forward as great by figures alone. For sheer entertainment, he will keep cricket alive.
Bishen Singh Bedi:
The thing I admire most about this man is his poise. The way he moves, elegantly without ever looking out of place in any condition or company, suggests his pedigree. I remember he had once come to New Delhi in the 1990s to collect his Arjuna Award (India's highest award to its top
sportspersons) and he asked me if I would attend the function. He is a very sensitive human being…..
Sometimes you feel he really hasn't felt the kind of competition in the world his talent deserves. I would have loved to see him perform against top quality cricketers of the previous generation. It would really have brought out the best in him.
Brett Lee:
You might pitch a ball on the off stump and think you have bowled a good ball and he walks across and hits it for two behind mid wicket. His bat looks so heavy but he just waves it around like it's a toothpick.
Brian Lara:
Sachin is a genius. I'm a mere mortal.
Clive Lloyd:
He is a tremendous cricketer. He is young and has got a lot of ability. He's got his own style. He has got the temperament for big cricket and I hope that he goes from strength to strength.
David Gower:
For Sachin the balance is there. He is quick to complete his shot. He covers the crease much better than mere mortals.
Dennis Lillee:
If I'm to bowl to Sachin, I will bowl with my helmet on. He hits the ball so hard.
Erapalli Prassana:
In the early years, especially around the mid 90s, I had this feeling you could play around on his ego and get him out. He believed he could attack bowlers at any time and anyone who could bowl maidens to him stood a good chance. Things are of course different now.
Graeme Pollock:
Tendulkar is the best in the world at the moment. Why I've always liked him is that batsmen tend to be negative at times and I think batting is not about not getting out - it is to play positively. I think you got to take it to the bowlers and Sachin is one such player. When you do so, you change the
game, you change bowlers because they suddenly start bowling badly because they are under pressure.
Greg Chappel:
I'd like to see him go out one day and bat with a stump. I tell you he'd do OK…. I just get the feeling because of his mental strength that Sachin will be definitely the best player of his era and probably the best 2-3 of all time.
Ian Chappel:
Whenever I see Sachin play I am reminded of the Graeme Pollock quote of Cricket being a 'see the ball, hit the ball game.' He hits the ball as if it's there to be hit.
Shane Warne:
I'll be going to bed having nightmares of Sachin just running down the wicket and belting me back over the head for six... I don't think anyone, apart from Don Bradman, is in the same class as Sachin Tendulkar. He is just an amazing player.
Steve Waugh:
You take Don Bradman away and he is next up, I reckon.
Wasim Akram:
Eleven years ago when he first played against us in Pakistan, I remember (Imran) telling us this youngster (Tendulkar) is destined for big things. Imran took an immense liking to the determined youngster and I think he (Tendulkar) has not really disappointed in fulfilling his potential. I would
have loved to bowl to him in my prime say six years ago. I could not do that because of the tense cricket relations between Pakistan and India. It is one of the biggest regrets of my cricket career. But the last time I bowled to him in a Test.
Viv Richards:
I think he's marvellous. I think he will fit in whatever category of cricket that's been played or will be played, from the first ball that's ever been bowled to the last ball that's going to be. He can play in any era and at any level... What he looks to do first is to attack. If it's not there in the groove he waits for the line and defends. Most of the time batsmen, just because it could be a fearsome fast bowler they are facing, tend to defend. But Sachin's always ready. He's always in a position to take advantage of loose balls... He has something special. He's blessed. I would say he's 99.5 per cent perfect... Even if he retires tomorrow and doesn't achieve
anything more he is right there. I have never seen Bradman but heard people talk about him. But I tell you what, if Bradman could
bat like this man does then he was dynamite. Players like Sachin deserve to be preserved in cotton wool.
I saw him( Sachin) playing on television and was struck by his technique, so I asked my wife to come look at him. Now I never saw myself play, but I feel that this player is playing much the same as I used to play, and she looked at him on Television and said yes, there is a similarity between the two...hi compactness, technique, stroke production... it all seemed to gel!
Abdul Qadir:
I was fielding in the covers when Tendulkar came out to bat in his debut Test at Karachi. I still remember Waqar Younis was at his peak form at that time. Tendulkar tried to drive Waqar through the covers off his very first ball in Test cricket but was beaten all ends up. But I walked to captain
Imran Khan and told him 'this kid looks very good' and Imran agreed with me. Then came the one-day international at Peshawar, which was reduced due to rain. When Tendulkar came at the crease I told him that not to get bogged down against me and he should try and hit me at all parts of the Arbab Niaz Stadium. It was not that I bowled badly but it was due to his ability that he hit me for I think 24 odd runs in one over.
Then it became a routine for me to chat with young Tendulkar whenever we met in the nets or in the hotel. I used to give him tips how to play spinners and I must admit he was a good listener and always tried to learn. After the home series we went to Sharjah and although Tendulkar didn't score that many runs against my bowling I gave him tips off the field whenever we had time.
Allan Donald:
His shot selection is superb, he just lines you up and can make you look very silly. Everything is right in his technique and judgement. There isn't a fault there. He is also a lovely guy, and over the years I've enjoyed some interesting chats with him… Sachin is in a different class to Lara as a
professional cricketer. He is a model cricketer, and despite the intolerable pressures he faces back home, he remains a really nice guy… Sachin is also the best batsman in the world, pulling away from Brain Lara every year…
We'd heard all about him modelling himself on Sunil Gavaskar, and he had the same neatness, the same time to spare, the same calmness - and a very heavy bat.
Anil Kumble:
I am very privileged to have played with him and seen most of the runs that he has scored. I am also extremely happy to have shared the same dressing room... He is a very reserved person and generally keeps to himself. He is very determined, committed and doesn't show too many emotions. He just goes about doing his job.
Barry Richards:
First and foremost, Tendulkar is an entertainer and that for me is as important factor as any fact or figure. Too often boring players have been pushed forward as great by figures alone. For sheer entertainment, he will keep cricket alive.
Bishen Singh Bedi:
The thing I admire most about this man is his poise. The way he moves, elegantly without ever looking out of place in any condition or company, suggests his pedigree. I remember he had once come to New Delhi in the 1990s to collect his Arjuna Award (India's highest award to its top
sportspersons) and he asked me if I would attend the function. He is a very sensitive human being…..
Sometimes you feel he really hasn't felt the kind of competition in the world his talent deserves. I would have loved to see him perform against top quality cricketers of the previous generation. It would really have brought out the best in him.
Brett Lee:
You might pitch a ball on the off stump and think you have bowled a good ball and he walks across and hits it for two behind mid wicket. His bat looks so heavy but he just waves it around like it's a toothpick.
Brian Lara:
Sachin is a genius. I'm a mere mortal.
Clive Lloyd:
He is a tremendous cricketer. He is young and has got a lot of ability. He's got his own style. He has got the temperament for big cricket and I hope that he goes from strength to strength.
David Gower:
For Sachin the balance is there. He is quick to complete his shot. He covers the crease much better than mere mortals.
Dennis Lillee:
If I'm to bowl to Sachin, I will bowl with my helmet on. He hits the ball so hard.
Erapalli Prassana:
In the early years, especially around the mid 90s, I had this feeling you could play around on his ego and get him out. He believed he could attack bowlers at any time and anyone who could bowl maidens to him stood a good chance. Things are of course different now.
Graeme Pollock:
Tendulkar is the best in the world at the moment. Why I've always liked him is that batsmen tend to be negative at times and I think batting is not about not getting out - it is to play positively. I think you got to take it to the bowlers and Sachin is one such player. When you do so, you change the
game, you change bowlers because they suddenly start bowling badly because they are under pressure.
Greg Chappel:
I'd like to see him go out one day and bat with a stump. I tell you he'd do OK…. I just get the feeling because of his mental strength that Sachin will be definitely the best player of his era and probably the best 2-3 of all time.
Ian Chappel:
Whenever I see Sachin play I am reminded of the Graeme Pollock quote of Cricket being a 'see the ball, hit the ball game.' He hits the ball as if it's there to be hit.
Shane Warne:
I'll be going to bed having nightmares of Sachin just running down the wicket and belting me back over the head for six... I don't think anyone, apart from Don Bradman, is in the same class as Sachin Tendulkar. He is just an amazing player.
Steve Waugh:
You take Don Bradman away and he is next up, I reckon.
Wasim Akram:
Eleven years ago when he first played against us in Pakistan, I remember (Imran) telling us this youngster (Tendulkar) is destined for big things. Imran took an immense liking to the determined youngster and I think he (Tendulkar) has not really disappointed in fulfilling his potential. I would
have loved to bowl to him in my prime say six years ago. I could not do that because of the tense cricket relations between Pakistan and India. It is one of the biggest regrets of my cricket career. But the last time I bowled to him in a Test.
Viv Richards:
I think he's marvellous. I think he will fit in whatever category of cricket that's been played or will be played, from the first ball that's ever been bowled to the last ball that's going to be. He can play in any era and at any level... What he looks to do first is to attack. If it's not there in the groove he waits for the line and defends. Most of the time batsmen, just because it could be a fearsome fast bowler they are facing, tend to defend. But Sachin's always ready. He's always in a position to take advantage of loose balls... He has something special. He's blessed. I would say he's 99.5 per cent perfect... Even if he retires tomorrow and doesn't achieve
anything more he is right there. I have never seen Bradman but heard people talk about him. But I tell you what, if Bradman could
bat like this man does then he was dynamite. Players like Sachin deserve to be preserved in cotton wool.
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