Sir Sachin Tendulkar - The Greatest Cricketer Ever

[littlemaster1982]

That and the in the 2004 tour of Pak is great too. It was near the boundary nearly stepping on the ropes. Hear Manjrekar say: "Well, if he has claimed the catch, then it should be out".

[equanimus]

the in the 2004 tour of Pak

Stumbled upon when watching this one. A good collection of some memorable moments of Sachin the bowler. (With the background score of Don. )

[ajithfederer]

http://www.hindu.com/2008/10/24/stories/2008102456131900.htm

Sport Printer Friendly Page Send this Article to a Friend

When the ‘Little Masters’ got together

Sports Reporter

Gavaskar and Tendulkar in an engaging conversation

— FILE Photo: PTI

LIVING LEGENDS: Sunil Gavaskar and Sachin Tendulkar share with CNN-IBN viewers the fabrication of the ultimate cricketing dream.

CHENNAI: The coming together of Test cricket’s 12,000-run man and his original 10,000-run idol was bound to be an eye-opener of paramount significance. The two ‘little masters’— Sachin Tendulkar and Sunil Gavaskar — were led through an engaging conversation by Rajdeep Sardesai, Editor-in-Chief of CNN-IBN, on the requirements and routine that went into the fabrication of the ultimate cricketing dream.

The two national icons were face to face for an exclusive chit-chat session titled “Little Masters” that will be aired on CNN-IBN and IBN-7.
Secret of success

While Tendulkar revealed what it was like to survive and succeed under the constant pressure of expectation and how winning the 2011 World Cup would be the definitive triumph, Gavaskar made it explicitly clear that his favourite protégé was in ship shape to continue till the premier event two years from now.

Speaking on the large-scale, run-by-run hounding that his latest achievement was subjected to, Sachin said: “To be honest, it still hasn’t sunk in. I was just focusing on the ball and was fed up with the usual ‘you have to do it’ and ‘when will you do it’ queries. I just wanted to enjoy my cricket rather than go chase records. I knew that records would be broken automatically and I didn’t need to focus on that.”

The parallels between the two compact bat-wielders from Mumbai are strikingly similar, and when Gavaskar empathised with Tendulkar’s quagmire, it was solely on the basis of experience.

“When I got close to Sir Don’s 29-century mark, it was all people could talk about. You got off the aircraft and the aircraft maintenance guys would ask you about it, you ordered from room service and the delivery guy would say ‘we want your 29th century here’. We didn’t even have i-pods then to help us tune out,” he said.
Prolific batsmen

Both prolific batsmen harnessed equally effective but disparate styles to accumulate runs. Tendulkar has often confessed to having modelled his game after that of Gavaskar and Vivian Richards which, in effect, has meant that he had two paradoxically efficient philosophies of batting to draw from all through his career.

Gavaskar admitted that there were various paths that lead to the same pinnacle of achievement.

“Yes, there are different methods to get runs. It also depends on the kind of game that you have… you could be a frontfoot player, you could be a backfoot player, you could be good on the off-side, your grip might be suited to an on-side game. Take the Indian team, there are so many different styles. There’s Sachin, there’s VVS, there’s Sehwag… all with different methods of dealing with the same kind of delivery.”

Gavaskar also acknowledged that he was sometimes tempted to emulate Tendulkar’s hitting prowess and his ability to “destroy the bowling attack”.

“I enjoy watching Sachin and Sehwag bat because they do the kind of things that I wanted to do but was unable to do. Probably it was a mental block. But this is what happens to former cricketers with unfulfilled aspirations. There is a sense of fulfilment and enjoyment in what the next generation does,” he said.
Enduring relationship

The relationship that the two Mumbaikars share has also been a part of cricketing folklore. From the time an ‘awe-struck’ Gavaskar presented his leg guards to Tendulkar before his Ranji Trophy debut, the liaison has only strengthened over the years.

In fact, Gavaskar went as far as stating that he always knew that, injuries notwithstanding, the cherubic lad would, one day, “possess all the batting records in the world”.
Something special

“Please ask my wife what I felt when I first saw him bat. I had heard so much about him…I went and saw him from a corner because I didn’t want him to be conscious of the fact that I was standing behind the nets. After that, I went home and told my wife that I had seen something really special. She was surprised because I had never said as much about any cricketer before.”

Asked what his greatest achievement on the cricket field was, Gavaskar said: “It has to be the 1983 World Cup win. Nothing can beat that. Nobody gave us a chance and we played good cricket and we won the World Cup. I will not advise Sachin, but I will make a plea to him: please regain the World Cup for us in 2011.”

Tendulkar agreed that the World Cup was a glittering omission from his imposing resume.

“It has always been a dream because that (World Cup) is the ultimate thing you can get for your country. We came so close to it in 2003 but, I thought, we tried a little too hard in the final.”

Conjecture over the World Cup apart, Sachin let on how he would like to be remembered as “one who always played for the team and one who has had some impact on the next generation and set targets for them to achieve.”

‘Little Masters’ will be telecast on CNN-IBN and IBN-7 on Friday, October 24 at 8 p.m. and 8.30 p.m. respectively.

[ajithfederer]

http://www.dnaindia.com/report.asp?newsid=1201269

Pietersen congratulates Tendulkar
PTI
Sunday, October 26, 2008 17:48 IST


LONDON: England captain Kevin Pietersen on Sunday congratulated Sachin Tendulkar on becoming the highest Test run scorer, saying he would love to make 10,000 Test runs.

"I congratulate Sachin Tendulkar on becoming the highest Test run scorer. I myself have targets. I would love to make 10,000 Test runs, though I'm about 6,000 short at present. My fear is that in future, people are not going to have the same priorities," Pietersen said.

Tendulkar became the highest run-scorer in the history of Test cricket when he surpassed West Indies' legend Brian Lara's record of 11,953 during India's second Test against Australia in Mohali.

Tendulkar has now scored 12,027 runs and has become the first to pass 12,000 runs in Tests.

Emphasising the need to strive to retain the supremacy of Test cricket, Pietersen said, "I'm going to speak to my fellow cricketers from other countries to try to gauge how people feel. But we're in a weird situation and there are big issues to confront."

[ajithfederer]

[ajithfederer]

http://www.ptinews.com/pti%5Cptisite...B?OpenDocument

New Delhi, Oct 27 (PTI) Sachin Tendulkar today ticked off Adam Gilchrist for questioning his sportsman spirit and honesty, saying a person who does not know him well enough made such "loose statements" which left him shocked.
"I was surprised. I didn't know how to react. (What he alleged) is something that I can't even think of in my wildest dreams. I love the game so much and those remarks came from someone who doesn't know me enough. I think he made loose statements," he said reacting to Gilchrist's comments in his upcoming autobiography that the Indian was hard to find for a handshake after India lost the Sydney Test.

Tendulkar said Gilchrist did call up to clear the air and he did not mince words in telling the former Aussie stumper that he had forgotten the spirit in which the Indians took the Sydney defeat.

"I am the kind of person who would leave things behind.

So many times he mentioned that you and Harbhajan (Singh) are not traceable to shake hands. I reminded him that I was the first person to shake hands after the Sydney defeat. It was a tough game that we lost and it was difficult for us.

"But none of us in the team would not shake hands. We have that sportsman spirit. We won't shy away from challenges," he told 'NDTV'.

Gilchrist had also taken a swipe at Tendulkar's honesty during the Harbhajan Singh race row trial, accusing him of giving different versions to the match referee and the ICC adjudicator but the Indian star said it was a closed chapter for him.

"That's his opinion but as far as I am concerned the chapter is closed," he said. PTI

[Sourav]

‘Loose statements by Gilchrist’
Tendulkar Says He Minced No Word In Reminding Aussie That Indians Have Sporting Spirit

New Delhi: Sachin Tendulkar on Monday ticked off Adam Gilchrist for questioning his sportsman spirit and honesty, saying a person who does not know him well enough made such “loose statements” which left him shocked.
“I was surprised. I didn’t know how to react. (What he alleged) is something that I can’t even think of in my wildest dreams. I love the game so much and those remarks came from someone who doesn’t know me enough. I think he made loose statements,” he said reacting to Gilchrist’s comments in his upcoming autobiography that the Indian was hard to find for a handshake after India lost the Sydney Test.
Tendulkar said Gilchrist did call up to clear the air and he did not mince words in telling the former Aussie stumper that he had forgotten the spirit in which the Indians took the Sydney defeat.
“I am the kind of person who would leave things behind. So many times he mentioned that you and Harbhajan (Singh) are not traceable to shake hands. I reminded him that I was the first person to shake hands after the Sydney defeat. It was a tough game that we lost and it was difficult for us. But none of us in the team would not shake hands. We have that sportsman spirit. We won’t shy away from challenges,” he said a TV channel.
Gilchrist had also taken a swipe at Tendulkar’s honesty during the Harbhajan Singh race row trial, accusing him of giving different versions to the match referee and the ICC adjudicator but the Indian star said it was a closed chapter for him. “That’s his opinion but as far as I am concerned the chapter is closed,” he said.
Fear of Indian backlash prompted Gilly to call Sachin: Adam Gilchrist said he was prompt in clearing things with Sachin Tendulkar over the controversial comments about the Indian maestro in his autobiography as he feared a backlash in the sub-continent. Gilchrist reportedly had called Sachin a ‘liar’ and a ‘bad sport,’ that caused a furore in India, where Australia is playing four-Test series against the hosts.
The former Australia wicketkeeper-batsman later phoned Tendulkar to clarify the matter.
“I just wanted to talk to him and say what I’d written, because I just know how big a story that was becoming - particularly in such a passionate country as India where they love their cricket and their superstars -- and he was fantastic and fully understood,” Gilchrist was quoted as saying in the Daily Telegraph.
“I just tried to explain to him the context in which my comments were written in the book. When you just grab little snippets out of the book, it can be taken out of context a little bit,” added Gilchrist.
In NewDelhi meanwhile, Australia captain Ricky Ponting today threw his weight behind his former deputy and said the retired stumper meant no malice in his observation of Sachin Tendulkar’s role in the ‘monekeygate scandal’.
Asked if he thought that improving relationship between cricketers of both countries was affected by Gilchrist’s unsavoury comment on Tendulkar, Ponting said, “I do not really think there was any malice intended from Adam in what he had to say in his book.
“I think it was reading between the lines, last couple of days, but he has actually contacted Sachin and cleared the air.”
Gilchrist meanwhile, backed an under-pressure Australia to level the series against India in the third Test, even though he feels India will have an upper-hand at the Delhi’s Ferozeshah Kotla where the pitch is tailor-made for the hosts.
“There’s a great challenge there, but I’ve got no doubt our guys will come out fighting," the former Australian wicket-keeper said.
“I am sure that the little bit of time-off they had enabled them to regroup and get their direction right, so I expect them to come out fighting hard,” he said.
“The wicket in Delhi is definitely tailormade for this Indian line-up. I think Anil Kumble’s record there is impeccable, so there’s a lot of evidence to support India there,” he added. Agencies

http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Defau...Mode=HTML&GZ=T

http://epaper.dinamalar.com/DM/MADHU...08_015_003.jpg

Good reply..

[Sourav]

Sachin upset by lack of respect to the seniors

New Delhi, Oct 29: Sachin Tendulkar finally opened his mouth in the whole ‘junior-senior’ debate that has been dogging Indian cricket for some time.

Taking a firm stand on the whole issue, the Master batsman, who has recently broke Brain Lara’s record to become the highest scorer in Test cricket, said the seniors including him would decide the place and time of their retirement.

“The seniors including myself will decide the time and place of retirement”, said Sachin.

In an interview to a private news channel, Sachin also said, “The lack of respect towards the seniors does not happen anywhere”.

“It’s only in this country that not enough respect is shown to the seniors who made major contributions”, Sachin added.

Tendulkar thought there was not a single player in the team who believed that if he was not enjoying the game he would still stick around. "I don`t think there is a single individual like that in the team".

He also categorically said that he was surprised to learn Sourav Ganguly’s decision to quit cricket at this juncture of his career.

"I am sure it must have taken him a long time to reach there. And it`s a big decision. But if he feels that it is the way to go, then we all should respect," Tendulkar said.

[Sourav]

Little Master's majestic attack

BEFORE the Delhi Test began Sachin Tendulkar spent hours in the nets facing a shaved and taped tennis ball fired at him by the team coach. Concerned about his technique against swinging and rising deliveries, and aware that the pitch was likely to be faster than forecast, he wanted to prepare himself for all eventualities. To that end he ironed out the kinks that had crept into his game.

Twice he had lost his wicket to loose strokes and once to an outswinger. It was not good enough. He has always been a diligent player, has always attended to details. He knew, too, that his team had to take its chance to put away the Australians and meant to play his part in that.

Before the Delhi Test began Brett Lee spent hours hardening his body and improving his stamina. Aware that he had fallen behind in his preparations, he went running every evening, pounding the streets, clearing his mind. Dismayed by his inability to give the attack the leadership it needed, he went flat out in the nets striving for wickets. In Mohali, he had tried to bowl within himself, conserving energy, relying on skill, and it had not worked. Enough of that. He knew that his captain was helpless unless his senior players answered his call.

Unsurprisingly, Tendulkar and Lee were the chief protagonists in a rousing opening day featuring an organised, purposeful but still limited Australian side and a home outfit loathe to surrender its advantage. Cricket offers few sights better than a fast bowler striving with might and main to remove a great batsman. It is the most naked of cricketing contests.

Tendulkar was majestic. Called to the crease after Rahul Dravid had indulged in an indiscretion that imperils his position, Tendulkar swiftly settled into his work. Immediately it was obvious that his mind was alert and his feet were moving quickly into position.

As usual he broke his duck with a neat tuck to leg. Lots of players can improvise on the front foot, but none is as creative as the Indian when stepping back. Several times he retreated, examined the ball and, finding nothing untoward, directed it into a gap. Now and then he pressed for more, once leaning back to guide the ball over slips.

His work off the front foot was just as impressive. He placed the ball between mid-off and extra cover and opened the blade a second time to beat point.

Had the Australians wilted or set accommodating fields, India's favourite son would have taken control. Instead Ricky Ponting, a sharper and more commanding figure than in Mohali, set interesting, inviting fields, blocking Tendulkar's strokes with an unusually deep backward point and trying to cut off his supply past square leg as well. Nor was Ponting afraid to change tack. Having probed Tendulkar's back-foot game, the Australians switched to full and straight attack in search of a leg before wicket and afterwards sought to stretch his patience. Australia persisted and eventually the batsman erred and hope was restored.

Needing an early wicket as a child needs milk, Lee beat Virender Sehwag with a fast break-backer and celebrated with a broad smile. Continuing to blend full deliveries and flyers, he threatened to make further inroads but was kept out. But he had set the example and his fellow pacemen also worked hard in the common cause. Reward came as Tendulkar nibbled at Mitchell Johnson.

[ajithfederer]

Sourav

'mmmaala avatar :whistle: