Quote:
One decision, one captain: Sachin
NEW DELHI
Master blasterSachin Tendulkar was all praise for his Indian Premier League team, the Mumbai Indians, and felt they had a fair chance in the second edition of the tournament.
“Mumbai Indians have a very balanced team. It’s a nice blend of experienced players like Sanath Jayasuriya, Shaun Pollock and youngsters like Abhishek Nayar and Dhawal Kulkarni. We have many talented and impressive players,” said Tendulkar on the sidelines of an event here on Tuesday.
On John Buchanan’s theory of having multiple captains in a team, Tendulkar said, “Multiple suggestions from players will always be welcome but there should be one captain to take the final decision. Whatever other teams are doing is not my business but in Mumbai Indians there will be only one captain.” The Mumbaiker though was disappointed with the IPL’s shift to South Africa.
“The Indian cricket control board must have tried their best not to shift the venue.
But I am sure it hardly affects the popularity and people’s interest in the tournament.
“I’m going to miss home support. We don’t have home and away matches but I am happy that it is at least happening,” he said.
Sachin was all praise for Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s captaincy. “He is on his toes all the time. Before he was made the captain, I interacted with him and knew that he had a sharp brain. His approach is clear and not complicated.” Asked about not playing Twenty20 at the international level, he said: “I remember before the Twenty20 World Cup I played a reasonable amount of cricket during our England tour.
After that I was not fit to give 100 per cent to the team.
“Cricket is a team sport, and one weak link could prove fatal. So, I would like to give others a chance. And now I don’t want to disturb the combination. So, this year also I’ll give it a miss.” The 35-year old also felt that the IPL was a great platform for the domestic players. “Domestic players get a chance to rub shoulders with the top players of the world.
There are many who are going to play for the first time outside India, and it will be a good exposure for them.” Tendulkar added that he was rather happy playing the mentor’s role. “To players like Harbhajan Singh or Yuvraj Singh, I’m like their elder brother. I share my experience not just with them but also with other members of the side. It’s a terrific atmosphere in the dressing room and it’s not just one-way traffic,” he said.
“We learn from each other and if someone has issues, the coach is always there.
Generally it’s a great atmosphere and I enjoy being part of this side.” Sachin gave credit to three gurus — his father Ramesh, elder brother Ajit and coach Ramakant Achrekar — for his success and whatever he was today.
“My father was my first guru. He always taught me to be a good human being and never change as a person. The second guru is my elder brother because of him I started playing cricket and third is my coach Achrekar.
“When I was young he used to take me on his motorbike daily for training.
My life would have totally different had these three people not been there.” On the tough times in his life, he said, “Travelling in crowded local trains in Mumbai was really difficult.
I experienced it and that made me realise what comfort means in life.”
