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To give people an idea why he means so much to Indians is that India and Indians have never been good in any internationally recognized sport with the odd exception. Our hockey team was once good and we've had great chess players. But in the sports that most people follow we've never had anyone, until Tendulkar. For an Indian to be considered one of the best batsman ever, for one to be held in such high esteem by his contemporaries is what makes him special. Shane Warne still waxes lyrical about him. Flintoff said he's the best he's bowled to. Allan Donald said there's Waugh, Lara and then there's Tendulkar. Does he have weaknesses, yes? But name me a batsman that doesn't? It's his ability to play different styles, against different bowlers in different conditions that make him stand out. I've seen him hit a Warne bouncer for 4 where Gilchrist is laughing because he can't believe what's just happened. He's smashed quicks, medium pacers, spinners - you name it. Does that mean he's the best player against spin ever? Or the best player against pace ever? Who knows. I've not seen every batsman who's ever played. But he's the best player against all these types of bowling I've seen. He's got the widest range of shots I've ever seen. And it's not necessarily about match winning innings or hundreds. It's about making you think that this bloke can do something I can't even imagine. My favourite innings of his was a 76 he got in Mumbai against Warne, McGrath, Gillespie, Fleming. It was the match before the famous Kolkata one, the last of Australia's 16 in a row in 2001. India were all out for 176 in the 1st innings. I can't remember what the score was when Tendulkar was out but he must have made about 70% of the team's total at the time. His strokeplay was unbelievable to the point that Justin Langer said afterwards it was the closest to batting genius he's ever seen. Did India win? No. Did Tendulkar get a hundred? No Did McGrath eventually get him? Yes. But for 2 hours I was spellbound and it's the best batting from anyone I've ever seen - Lara, Richards, Ponting included.