:clap:
Beautiful innings Sachin :clap:
Printable View
:clap:
Beautiful innings Sachin :clap:
:clap: :clap: :clap:
Time has come, for a few people to hide their sorry faces..
Well Pllayed sachin. :clap: :clap: :clap:
Would have been much happy if he was not out. Ganguly and Dhoni should lead the charge. Hope atleast one of them make a century.
Orkut member Madhusudhan. He is a terrific fan of sachin who always named his profile as Hundred 100's is a reality or something similar to that lines :D.
Quote:
Originally Posted by littlemaster1982
For the record its the 10th Ton by the Master against the Aussies. The affair continues. :thumbsup:
http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2008/...-Tendulkar.php
Sachin Tendulkar hits 40th test ton for India
The Associated Press
Published: November 6, 2008
NAGPUR, India: Sachin Tendulkar broke through a frustrating 10-month period without a century Thursday to set up India's 311-5 on the first day of the fourth and final test against Australia.
Tendulkar had not reached three figures since the final match against Australia in Adelaide in January before bringing up his 40th test century — and 10th against the Australians — with 109 from 188 deliveries.
"After Adelaide, I have played around six or seven matches," Tendulkar said. "I know I am batting well, but I was not getting to the three-figure landmark. But I don't think that is everything.
"Each ton is a different one and has its own importance. Today was a little different, I tried to get it in a different style."
Tendulkar struggled in the series against Sri Lanka earlier this year but has been one of India's key batsmen against Australia, scoring 384 runs at 64.00.
"As you have seen in this test series, I have gone in at crucial moments almost four or five times and I have been able to play," he said. "That is very satisfying when you deliver when the team needs you the most, and that is what I have been able to do in this series."
Tendulkar came out to bat with India 99-2, and the situation worsened when Virender Sehwag departed 17 runs later for 66.
The world's leading run-scorer didn't look troubled until he neared his century and was dropped twice — on 85 and 96 — at mid-off by Mitchell Johnson and Brett Lee from the bowling of rookie offspinner Jason Krejza.
"I can say that he was a bit unlucky," Tendulkar said of Krejza, who took 3-138 off 28 overs.
Tendulkar, who is now four hundreds ahead of Australia captain Ricky Ponting in second place, said he isn't driven by records.
"I am not playing for these targets," Tendulkar said. "I am just playing for the team and, while contributing towards the team's cause, if it happens it is a great satisfaction."
Tendulkar described the pitch at Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium as a "perfect track" that would suit the spinners over the rest of the match. Australia is likely to have to bat last after India, which leads the series 1-0, won the toss.
"Batting first is definitely an advantage," Tendulkar said. "But it is important to bat well when you get that chance and build up a big score. The momentum that builds up during the game happens when you bat first."[/tscii]
http://content-usa.cricinfo.com/indv...ry/377195.html
India v Australia, 4th Test, Nagpur, 1st day
Losing five was too many - Tendulkar
Cricinfo staff
November 6, 2008
Sachin Tendulkar: "It was important that I got going because we had lost a couple of wickets and even Sehwag got out after that" © Getty Images
Sachin Tendulkar has said India were in a decent, but not brilliant, position after ending the first day of the final Test in Nagpur on 311 for 5. Tendulkar, who stabilised the Indian innings with his 40th Test hundred, felt losing five wickets was too many and "three would have been okay".
The situation when he began his innings was reminiscent of India's first innings in Mohali where a terrific start had been eroded by quick wickets. Today India went from 98 for 0 to 116 for 3 and were in danger of allowing Australia to bounce back after Virender Sehwag's half-century forced them on the defensive.
"It was important that I got going because we had lost a couple of wickets and even Sehwag got out after that," Tendulkar said. "I think it was just about keeping the head cool initially because when I walked in it was a critical stage. We had to make sure that we [VVS Laxman and I] had a good partnership and took the game away from Australia because the momentum was with them [Australia] initially."
Tendulkar and Laxman's efforts succeeded and they regained the advantage by adding 146 for the fourth wicket. Tendulkar went after the debutant offspinner Jason Krejza, slogging him over midwicket and lifting over mid-on. He fed off the deliveries that Mitchell Johnson bowled on his pads, flicking with impeccable timing towards the square-leg boundary. The shot of the day, however, was a trademark on-drive against Lee which bisected the gap between the bowler and mid-on.
Tendulkar, however, was fortunate to get a century. On 74 he survived a run-out chance; on 85 he mis-hit Krejza to mid-off where Johnson dropped the catch; on 96 he lofted Krejza once again to long-off where Brett Lee couldn't hang on. Tendulkar played out 11 dot balls on 99 before reaching his hundred by cutting Krejza to the point boundary.
"I can say he [Krejza] was a bit unlucky," Tendulkar said. "He had a first wonderful day. Today I can also thank God [for reaching the hundred] . I am delighted at getting the century."
The 40th century eluded Tendulkar twice in this series. He was out for 88 in Mohali and 68 in Delhi and on both occasions he was batting with fluency before falling against the run of play. Tendulkar, however, said although he missed out on hundreds, he had made vital contributions, such as the patient 49 in Bangalore which helped India save the Test.
"I know I am batting well, but I was not getting to the three-figure landmark. But I don't think that is everything. I have gone in at crucial [stages] at almost four or five times and I have been able to play. That is very satisfying, when you deliver when the team needs the most."
Tendulkar was dismissed in the last half-hour of the day, playing across the line to Johnson, who was bowling with the second new ball. That lapse, and the catches that were offered before his century, seemed to indicate a drop in concentration, but Tendulkar did not agree.
"I don't think I lost my concentration," he said. "Yes there was a patch in between but later on I felt I had sort of again changed the momentum and I just wanted to be there till the end today."
Tendulkar said that the pitch was a "perfect track" but what was noticeable, even in the first hour of play, was how quickly the bowlers' follow-throughs left their mark on the surface. Krejza got a few deliveries to spin and turn on day one and Tendulkar said it will definitely help the spinners more.
"The wicket is playing good. It is on the harder side and it is quite good. The spinners are getting bounce so I think in a day or two it will be difficult to play the spinners." When play ended on the first day, Harbhajan Singh made his way out to the middle, possibly to inspect the surface on which he hopes to fulfil the responsibility passed on to him by Anil Kumble.
© Cricinfo[/tscii]
Pic of the day
Prabhu ram or sridar, Could you please enable this pic. Thanks !.
http://cricket.timesofindia.indiatim...ow/3682788.cms
Tendulkar need to continue for another 3 years: Wadekar
PANCHKULA (Haryana): Former captain Ajit Wadekar hailed Sachin Tendulkar
as a "run machine" and said India need him for at least another three
years, especially in the absence of senior players like Anil Kumble and Sourav Ganguly.
Heaping praise on Tendulkar, who got his 40th Test century against Australia in Nagpur, Wadekar said, "I cannot describe in words this latest milestone of the batting genius. I would say Sachin is simply a run machine. I think team will need him to be around for the next three years at least, especially when some senior players are taking retirement.
"I think he is the greatest batsman and it is so easy for him (to achieve this milestone)," he said on the sidelines of an ICL Twenty20 match.
Tendulkar recently surpassed West Indian batting legend Brian Lara's record to become the highest run-getter in Test cricket and also crossed the 12,000 run mark in the second Test against Australia in Mohali.
Asked how India would find it in the absence of senior players like Kumble and Ganguly, Wadekar said, "Their replacement will be difficult to find. In near future, we will also see Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman's exit and the team will feel their void."
On MS Dhoni taking over as Test captain from Kumble, Wadekar said, "As they say, luck favours the brave. Dhoni is a brave and a lucky man. He has got good leadership qualities and is a very good player who carries the entire team along,"
http://www.espnstar.com/cricket/inte...lkar-praises-/
Tendulkar praises 'focused' India
Sachin Tendulkar hailed India's focus to keep their emotions in check, finishing the fourth Test with a slight advantage over Australia.
In the build-up to the game, the final contest of a series which the home side lead 1-0, Australia captain Ricky Ponting claimed India would be distracted by Sourav Ganguly's imminent retirement, VVS Laxman playing in his 100th Test and the controversial ban on Gautam Gambhir.
But there seemed no loss in concentration as India, led by Tendulkar's brilliant 109, moved on to 311 for five at stumps.
Laxman and Ganguly also starred, the former chipping in with 64 and the latter, in his final Test, closing on 27 not out.
"Emotions were in control," Tendulkar said. "Even Sourav wasn't thinking of all those things when he walked out.
"It was probably on his mind before he came out to bat but once you cross the rope, your thought process changes and you concentrate on the game and nothing else.
"He was focused today and so were the rest of us.
"I don't think I lost my concentration except for a brief while but once I got past that stage I wanted to stay till the end."
Tendulkar's last century also came against Australia - in Adelaide in January - but he insisted reaching three figures for the 40th time in Test matches did not present a mental obstacle.
"I've reached those critical stages several times after Adelaide and even in this series I was two or three times close to the three-figure mark," he said.
"But I don't think that is everything.
"What is important is that I have been able to bat well although I have walked in to bat at crucial stages in an innings.
"It has happened three or four times in this series already.
"To be able to contribute to the team's cause is far more satisfying than achieving milestones and that is what I have been able to do in this series."
Tendulkar, who was dropped on 85 and 98 and had another escape after surviving a run-out chance just after reaching his half-century, was pleased to have taken the momentum away from Australia, who were starting to threaten through debutant off-spinner Jason Krejza.
"Each century is a different one and it has its own importance," added Tendulkar.
"Today I tried to get it in a little different style. I thought it was just about keeping cool and calm initially.
"I walked in at a critical stage and we had to make sure there was a good partnership.
"The momentum was with Australia at that stage and we had to make sure we took it away from them.
"You have to play the ball on its merits and each surface is different so you have to play accordingly."
Krejza finished day one with figures of three for 138 and Tendulkar admitted there was no plan to target the most inexperienced member of the visitors' line-up.
"No, we did not have a specific plan for him," Tendulkar said. "I was just trying out shots."
Although the home side have played themselves into a strong position, Tendulkar insisted there was still plenty of work to be done to assure them of the draw they require to win the series.
"I think it's a good total, but there are four more days to go and we would want to be on our toes.
"The wicket is playing well, it's a perfect track.
"There is a little help for the spinners and it has a bit of bounce, but I think it's a good track."
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?p...efer=australia
Tendulkar Bags New Record as India Reaches 311-5 vs Australia
By Grant Clark
Nov. 6 (Bloomberg) -- Sachin Tendulkar claimed another batting record as he struck 109 to help lift India to 311-5 on the first day of the final cricket Test against Australia in Nagpur.
The 35-year-old, who broke the record for the most Test runs during last month's second match, passed 50 for the 91st time in his Test career today to overtake the record of 90 half- centuries set by Australia's Allan Border.
Tendulkar steadied his team after the loss of three quick wickets -- two to debutant off-spinner Jason Krejza -- as India seeks to close out the four-match series. Top-ranked Australia, which trails 1-0, is on an eight-series win streak.
Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who took over from the retired Anil Kumble as captain, won the toss on a grass-less wicket that may dry up and deteriorate as the match progresses, offering an advantage to the team batting first.
Opener Murali Vijay, making his debut in place of the suspended Gautam Gambhir, scored 33 in a 98-run stand for the first wicket before Shane Watson squared him up and got him to edge the ball to wicketkeeper Brad Haddin.
Krejza struck in the next over, removing Rahul Dravid for a duck as Simon Katich took the catch at short leg. He bowled Virender Sehwag, who'd made 66 off 69 balls, to reduce India to 116-3.
Tendulkar then combined with VVS Laxman in a century partnership to restore the home team's advantage. Laxman, playing in his 100th Test, scored 64 before edging Krejza to Haddin for the bowler's third wicket.
Tendulkar was dropped by Brett Lee as he attempted to bring up his century with a six, then was stuck on 99 for 10 balls before reaching a record-extending 40th in Tests. He'd earlier been dropped by Mitchell Johnson, who eventually trapped the batsman leg before wicket.
Former captain Sourav Ganguly -- playing in his 113th and last Test match before retiring -- is 27 not out, with Dhoni unbeaten on 4.
‘Bhagwan Bharose,’
Sachin Tendulkar told Sourav Ganguly on completing his 40th Test ton, after being dropped twice and surviving a run-out chance. Sachin scored 109 as India notched up 311/5 against Australia at Nagpur | P 21 In the course of scoring his century, Sachin set a new world record for most 50-plus Test innings. He now has 91 (40 tons + 51 fifties), overtaking Allan Border’s 90 (27 centuries + 63 fifties).
Sachin now has 17 Test hundreds in India, the most on Indian soil, bettering Sunil Gavaskar’s 16
Second batsman to record 10 tons (in 29 Tests) against Australia after England’s Jack Hobbs (12 in 41)
First to aggregate 5,000 runs in first innings of Tests — 5086 in 75 innings at average of 72.65
http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Defau...Mode=HTML&GZ=T
// Innum vera yethavathu micha meethi records irukka batting-la? //
:notworthy::notworthy::notworthy::notworthy::notwo rthy:
'kkaali :shock: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap:
Tale of a legend and a lamb
Harsha Bhogle
In the unmatched drama of Test cricket, two unlikely competitors stood face to face. They inhabited different worlds. One, a legend of the game, who strolls in a world others don’t even know exists; the other was accompanied to the ground by scorn, derision and a record so inadequate that only nepotism or skullduggery could have worked.
A son of eastern European parents, with a history of alcohol and drug use and one match on tour where he had been taken apart by batsmen who weren’t yet good enough to be selected here. Ronaldo might have been lining up for a penalty against a Division IV goalkeeper; a qualifier from a Challenger might have been standing in front of Sampras or Federer.
As it turns out the legend, Sachin Tendulkar, scored his fortieth Test century, nobody else knows what that is. But the lamb they threw into the lion’s den went into the green room and emerged with horns, fangs and claws. Jason Krejza is going to play a lot more Test cricket and the Australian thinktank, normally so spot on, must be feeling a touch stupid.
He tossed the ball up and saw it vanish, he tossed it up again and it vanished again. It was a tough examination and Krejza could have re-sponded by pushing it through fast and straight. He might even have been forgiven.
Instead he tossed it up and in doing so, he backed himself. His first three overs had gone for thirty one and failure was calling him back into the pub.
But life has a way of rewarding those who back themselves. He found a captain who was willing to throw the ball to him and he responded by opening a new box of riches. He bowled an excellent length, he found turn and he found bounce. You cannot ask for more from a player in his first game.
Meanwhile, Tendulkar played an innings in two parts. He motored to 49 and stopped. Then in the eighties and nineties, like Haroun-al-Rashid, he put on a disguise and walked the streets like a common man.
Suddenly a celestial display became coated with the insecurities that you and me are more aware of. Two chances were put down; maybe a couple of wrongs in the nineties in days gone by were being corrected. Then Number Forty arrived; a square-cut of Krejza who had twice tempted Tendulkar into indiscretion only to see sure fielders falter.
Many shades of character had been displayed. Test cricket had won again.
http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Defau...Mode=HTML&GZ=T
TON OF ENTERTAINMENT: :notworthy: Sachin Tendulkar took centrestage on the opening day of the Nagpur Test on Thursday with a classy century. Here he sends Matthew Hayden scampering towards the boundary after steering one off debutant Krejza
http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Repos.../Pc0211000.jpg
From office, I left for the day at 4:30pm still 10 overs left for the day...... adhukkullae :(Quote:
Originally Posted by ajithfederer
SACH SHOWS TRUE COLOURS
Surviving Two Dropped Catches Along The Way, Tendulkar Records His 40th Century As India Sit Pretty At 311-5
Sandeep Dabhekar | TNN
Nagpur: Just like it has done in the series so far, the opening day of the fourth and final Test too followed the same script on Thursday. First, the Indian captain called the toss correctly and promptly said: “We will bat.” Then, Virender Sehwag began his ride on top gear just to depart when the Australian bowlers were at his mercy. Finally, Rahul Dravid failed yet again while VVS Laxman painted another beautiful innings.
The only deviation, a pleasant one though, was provided by Sachin Tendulkar. After failing to reach triple figures in the series, despite essaying many innings that promised more, the master undid the wrong by scoring 109 as India finished the first day on 311 for 5.
The breathtaking shots Tendulkar played during his 40th Test hundred were equally matched by the many breathless moments he gave to his fans as he lived a charmed life. On way to his second Test hundred of the year, the earlier one came against the same opponents in Adelaide, Tendulkar got three lives.
It was Jason Krejza who failed to hit the stumps with Tendulkar stranded in the middle of the pitch following a moment of indecision over a run. As Laxman backed off too far Tendulkar had no option but to go for it. Luckily, Krejza was off the mark and the master blaster survived. The off-spinner paid the price for it and lived to see two chances being put down off his own bowling.
Tendulkar, playing on 85, gave charge to Krejza but miscued the ball to mid-off; but Mitchell Johnson, with the sun in his eye, dropped the catch. A few overs later, he played the same shot to the same bowler with the same result. This time he was on 96 and Brett Lee had to run backwards to make a catch of it. Aided by the sloppy Australian fielding, Sachin reached his hundred with a four off Krejza.
But in between the hiccups, the master blaster played with authority. Along with Laxman (64), in fact, he revived India after the loss of three quick wickets just before lunch. Tendulkar’s first three scoring shots were all boundaries. But after the departure of Sehwag, he adopted a watchful approach
and consolidated the innings
with Laxman.
The three quick dismissals
prior to lunch marred an otherwise fruitful morning session. After cruising through the most part of it, India suddenly lost wickets in a cluster. Sehwag and debutant M Vijay were hardly troubled by the Aussie pace as they scored at almost five runs per over. India cruised to 59 in 12 overs without losing wickets.
With a leather-hunt looming large, Shane Watson struck for the Aus-sies, removing Vijay. In the next over, Krejza scalped his first Test wicket as he got Dravid for a duck. But the biggest blow came three overs later. Krejza snapped up Sehwag who dragged the bowl attempting a cut to a ball which didn’t give him the space. After scoring 70 in the first hour of the play India lost three wickets in just five overs.
But the Tendulkar-Laxman duo added 146 runs for the fourth wicket before Laxman got out to Krejza. With close of play nearing and Tendulkar past his century, signs looked ominous for the visitors. But the second new ball did the trick as Mitchell Johnson trapped Tendulkar in front. Sourav Ganguly along with captain MS Dhoni saw off the remaining overs.
With the ball turning, evident from the three wickets taken by Krejza, the Indian score looks quite a handful. If the hosts manage to take the tally past 500 on Friday, they may well be able to call the shots. A draw looks most likely though on this unhelpful track and that itself should be enough to secure the Border-Gavaskar
Trophy.
http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Defau...Mode=HTML&GZ=T
Ten Test Tons of Sachin Tendulkar against Australia
Guys Pick your Top Five Tons against Australia
Mine
1) 114 @ Perth 91/92 tour
2) 148* @ Sydney 91/92 tour
3) 116 @ Melbourne 99/00 tour
4) 241* @ Sydney 03/04 tour
5) 153 @ Adelaide 07/08 tour.
was quite impressed with Sachin's innings yesterday. Ippadiyae aada koodaatha ! enna oru confidence :notworthy:
ippadi aadaamaa, kappi thanamaa part time bowlers kku ellam wicket kodukaatheenga ! :(
Selva,
Welcome back to sachin thread :D
Feddy,
We are unable to post the picture, its not working.
Sachin to skip first 3 ODIs against England :cry2:
Romba late-a vanthu azhureenga.... :hammer: Team was announced 2 days ago.... :PQuote:
Originally Posted by viraajan
:cry2:Quote:
Originally Posted by sourav
Yes, old news thaan :evil: forgot to post it... so posted :evil:
Innonnu solla marandhutten,
Sourav (neenga illa :poke: ) hugged Sachin yesterday... Kan kollaa kaatchi :redjump: :bluejump: :boo: :bow:
http://i38.tinypic.com/28wjjav.jpg
Quote:
Originally Posted by Sanguine Sridhar
Illa.. I was disappointed with his style of batting of late. But intha maari play panna super ah irukkum.. He should be consistent in this... Not sure about others. But I would love to see him dominating the bowlers againQuote:
Originally Posted by ajithfederer
:shock: :shock: kadandha sila pala series neenga paakkave illa pola :huh:Quote:
Originally Posted by selvakumar
You are right :)Quote:
Originally Posted by crajkumar_be
Highlights paarkurathoda sari.. Nethum appadi thaan..
but in this series, he is good..
Sachin's look & approach itself is enough to guess his mind these days. :D He looks active in this series.
but will he continue ? :roll:
Selva :shock:
Agree with CR !!
watch sachin in seedi-baat with prabhu chawla on aaj -tak .. this sunday 8pm ......or on 3-30 pm on monday
http://cricket.timesofindia.indiatim...ow/3684443.cms
My body doing fine, no immediate plans to retire: Tendulkar
7 Nov 2008, 1129 hrs IST, PTI
NEW DELHI: Two of his celebrated peers, Anil Kumble and Sourav Ganguly have decided to walk into the sunset after glorious careers but Sachin
Tendulkar says his body is "doing fine" and he has no plans to retire in the immediate future.
"My body is doing fine and at the moment I am not thinking of any plans to retire. Normally I prefer to think of the present, not of what I am going to do in the next four, five of six years of my life," he said.
"If I think it is time to hang up I will let everybody know. There is nothing to hide in it. I know it will make news but that I don't think it is a negative news that I have to hide from everyone," he added.
Tendulkar was non-committal when asked if he was thinking of playing in the 2011 World Cup which will be held in the sub-continent.
"I normally prefer to think of which match I am going to play next and what sort of planning I should do and which bowling attack would be used on me.
"Even if I have to play in 2011 World Cup it is 700 days to go. For now my focus is on the next four days against Australia," he told a news channel.
Tendulkar, who hit his 40th Test hundred in Nagpur, said he will miss Sourav Ganguly with whom he shared a special understanding on the filed while batting.
"I will definitely miss him. It happened many a times with Sourav that when we were on the wicket and between the overs we used to know looking at each other's face that there is a lot a of stress and the situation is important or whether it is necessary to relax.
"When you go to play the next ball then it is important to have 100 per cent concentration. But when you do not need 100 per cent concentration it is important to relax. So at that time I use to try to speak to him in Bengali whether it was correct or not. So the atmosphere gets relaxed and we play our natural game," he said of his 12-year association with Ganguly.
Talking about the captains under whom he has played in the 19 years of his international career, Tendulkar said Rahul Dravid was different from a Ganguly or a Krishnamachari Srikkanth in that he was a serious sort who wants to maintain peace in the dressing room.
"Rahul is a serious sort of a player. He is focused and he likes to maintain peace in the dressing room. So he was a different captain. There is a Srikkanth who used to crack jokes and laugh and there is Rahul who is focused and serious.
"Srikkanth used to joke with me then (when I first played under him) and also when I became 35-year-old. When there is tension in the dressing room he would crack some jokes to try to make a relaxed atmosphere and prepare everyone for the game. He used to prepare in a different way.
"Like Srikkanth, Sourav also used to entertain teammates. He used to crack different jokes and try to ease off pressure."
Will miss sachin-ganguly opening partnership in ODIs :cry2:
Best pair in the world :bow:
Sachin as good as the Don: Hadlee
Sir Richard Hadlee believes there is no doubt that Sachin Tendulkar is by far the best batsman of the modern generation.
In his capacity as the brand ambassador for the Delhi Half Marathon, the New Zealander said that though Tendulkar, Brian Lara and Ricky Ponting were all greats, the Indian maestro was better than anyone else. "Sachin is magic for the game of cricket," said Hadlee, going on to add: "He is the one who can even be mentioned in the same league as Sir Don."
Former India captains Anil Kumble and Sourav Ganguly had said on Thursday that Indian cricket was destined for great things under new captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni. Hadlee echoes similar sentiment.
The New Zealand cricket officials hate it, but the Kiwi all-rounder partly thanked the Indian Premier League for exposing several young players to the international arena. "Young players are coming through. Their depth and ability are there for all to see. With them, India could well be No. 1 very soon," Hadlee said.
Hadlee said a win in the ongoing Test series against Australia could see India go a long way in bridging the gap with the world champions. Then, he cheekily added, "I hope your guys soften up the Aussies, so that our guys (New Zealand) can do something that hasn't been done for 23 years - win a Test match in Australia."
The legendary all-rounder said Twenty20, ODIs and Test cricket could definitely co-exist, but he also hates to think that the shorter versions could compromise Tests.
When asked about the exodus of New Zealand players to the Indian Cricket League, Hadlee agreed that the Kiwis were worse-hit than most other countries. "You can't blame them for choosing financial security over their international careers. But it was sad to see people like Shane Bond, Craig McMillan and Daryl Tuffey, who had some cricket left in them, go away."
The 57-year-old, who played international cricket till the age of 39, had one final thing to say, about whether age should be an issue for a cricketer. He said: "There's no age limit, whatsoever. Players themselves know when they can or can't mentally cope with the daily grind of international sport."
My body doing fine, no immediate plans to retire: Tendulkar :cool2: :D
New Delhi, Nov 7 (PTI) Two of his celebrated peers, Anil Kumble and Sourav Ganguly have decided to walk into the sunset after glorious careers but Sachin Tendulkar says his body is "doing fine" and he has no plans to retire in the immediate future.
"My body is doing fine and at the moment I am not thinking of any plans to retire. Normally I prefer to think of the present, not of what I am going to do in the next four, five of six years of my life," he said.
"If I think it is time to hang up I will let everybody know. There is nothing to hide in it. I know it will make news but that I don't think it is a negative news that I have to hide from everyone," he added.
Tendulkar was non-committal when asked if he was thinking of playing in the 2011 World Cup which will be held in the sub-continent.
"I normally prefer to think of which match I am going to play next and what sort of planning I should do and which bowling attack would be used on me.
"Even if I have to play in 2011 World Cup it is 700 days to go. For now my focus is on the next four days against Australia," he told 'Aaj Tak'.
Tendulkar, who hit his 40th Test hundred in Nagpur, said he will miss Sourav Ganguly with whom he shared a special understanding on the filed while batting.
"I will definitely miss him. It happened many a times with Sourav that when we were on the wicket and between the overs we used to know looking at each other's face that there is a lot a of stress and the situation is important or whether it is necessary to relax. PTI :cry: :cry: :cry:
http://www.ptinews.com/pti%5Cptisite...C?OpenDocument :cry:
http://blogs.cricinfo.com/thebuzz/ar..._at_nagpur.php
November 6, 2008
Felicitations at Nagpur
VVS Laxman, Anil Kumble, Sourav Ganguly and Sachin Tendulkar at the felicitation ceremony © Getty Images
After a satisfying day's cricket at the new VCA Stadium in Nagpur, the Indians headed to the plush club house for a function felicitating Sachin Tendulkar, for becoming the highest run-scorer in Test cricket; VVS Laxman, for playing his 100th Test; Sourav Ganguly, because the ongoing Test is his last; and Anil Kumble, who ended an 18-year career in Delhi.
The function was hosted by BCCI president Shashank Manohar, who also heads the Vidarbha Cricket Association, and was attended by the ICC vice-president Sharad Pawar, N Srinivasan, the BCCI secretary and several other board officials. The national selectors were also present as were the families and friends of the cricketers being felicitated.
After a short introduction the cricketers were called up on stage one by one to receive their awards after which each of them spoke to those gathered.
Laxman went first. He had even invited coaches from his formative years for the function. "From the background I came from, with my parents being doctors, it was expected that I would become a doctor," he said. "And I also wanted to become a doctor. I think I was given a better gift. Playing cricket was a dream, a fantasy."
Tendulkar was next and he received a fancy jewel-studded trophy for breaking Brian Lara's record. "Anil, Sourav and Laxman, I'd like to congratulate all of you for your tremendous contribution that has inspired a whole new generation of children," said Tendulkar.
"I first met Anil way back in 1988-89. At that time I was told that Anil is actually a batsman who can bowl. He's deceptive but he's actually a batsman. Then to see what he has done in Test cricket, it's truly remarkable."
"I was Laxman's captain on the 1996-97 tour of South Africa," Tendulkar said. "On that tour he got hit on his knuckle and fractured it. I remember one guy sitting and crying because he was going to miss the remaining part of the tour. I went and sat next to him and said there's a long way to go for you. Don't worry, these things happen.
"I personally don't think that you get the get the praise you deserve. I felt that your performances were always under-rated. From a team's point of view you've been truly fantastic."
It was a sentiment that Kumble also shared and the loudest applause was reserved for the outgoing captain as he went up to collect his award. He referred to the Indian team as his
"colleagues" before he smiled and said "sorry, my former colleagues".
"It's been emotional. It's always tough when your time is up and you have to give up something that you love," he said.
Kumble had his side of the anecdote that Tendulkar shared. "The first paper clipping that I have is of an under-17 match and the top headline says 'Tendulkar and Kumble score centuries'," Kumble said. "He scored a century for West Zone and I got a century for South Zone and I didn't know who Sachin was at that point of time.
"When we first came into the Indian team, everybody in India said you [Tendulkar] would break all records. You've done that. Congratulations to you. To me, when I first came, they said you won't last two Test matches. You had the challenge of proving everybody right. I had the challenge of proving everybody wrong."
The function ended after Ganguly had his turn. "To MS [Dhoni] and Gary [Kirsten], my sincere good wishes for a wonderful future. You two are the torch bearers of Indian cricket. I hope you take Indian cricket forward.
"Over the last 13-14 years I've made some friends and I've made some enemies. One thing I would like to say that it's all been for the good of Indian cricket. Hopefully you've walked the part with me and enjoyed the journey."
Ganguly didn't say much but, then again, he has four days to go in an outstanding career and has bigger statements to make when he goes out to bat on Friday.