Tuesday, December 28, 2010
Viv Richards on Sachins Achivements
Sachin Tendulkar's career longevity and his remarkable achievements make him a class apart, according to the legendary Sir Vivian Richards who reckons that the Indian maestro has set benchmarks that no other contemporary cricketer can come anywhere close to.
Richards said Tendulkar has survived for so long in international cricket because of his "amazing dedication" and it was only a matter of time when he scripts history by becoming the first cricketer to score 50 Test centuries.
"He can certainly achieve that (scoring 50 Test centuries). I think the way the games are going at present, it would be very difficult for anyone to break that record. He is way ahead of others," Richards said.
Richards, one of the most destructive batsman of his era, said only Australian captain Ricky Ponting had a slim chance of coming anywhere near Tendulkar's records among contemporary cricketers.
"I can't see any individual, the closest guy who would come to that may be Ricky (Ponting). But the way things are going on in Australia, they are calling for his head, so I don't know really know how long he will be around. He is the only individual I think who could be close to Sachin's record. But I think it would be hard to surpass," he said.
The West Indian batting great attributed Tendulkar's longevity to the way he has conducted himself right through his career and his discipline among other things.
"Tendulkar is 37, still going great. It's all about how you have conducted yourself. I guess there were times when it looked pretty doubtful with injuries, starting with the back, would have most certainly affected his career but it's due to persistence, dedication, discipline and confidence that you survive for so long," he explained.
Richards spoke on a variety of subjects ranging from India's prospects in the upcoming World Cup, best captains in the modern era and the reasons for the sharp decline of West Indies cricket during the interview.
The former captain had rated Virender Sehwag as the most destructive batsman in modern era but did he see any similarity in the Indian swashbuckler and his own batting?
"I think he has his own way of playing. Any comparison that could be is that he has no fear. I had no fear about fast bowlers. He trusts his instincts and I admire him 100 per cent for that attitude. He is a stylish player and has got the trust in himself which is very much required," he said.
Richards said Tendulkar has survived for so long in international cricket because of his "amazing dedication" and it was only a matter of time when he scripts history by becoming the first cricketer to score 50 Test centuries.
"He can certainly achieve that (scoring 50 Test centuries). I think the way the games are going at present, it would be very difficult for anyone to break that record. He is way ahead of others," Richards said.
Richards, one of the most destructive batsman of his era, said only Australian captain Ricky Ponting had a slim chance of coming anywhere near Tendulkar's records among contemporary cricketers.
"I can't see any individual, the closest guy who would come to that may be Ricky (Ponting). But the way things are going on in Australia, they are calling for his head, so I don't know really know how long he will be around. He is the only individual I think who could be close to Sachin's record. But I think it would be hard to surpass," he said.
The West Indian batting great attributed Tendulkar's longevity to the way he has conducted himself right through his career and his discipline among other things.
"Tendulkar is 37, still going great. It's all about how you have conducted yourself. I guess there were times when it looked pretty doubtful with injuries, starting with the back, would have most certainly affected his career but it's due to persistence, dedication, discipline and confidence that you survive for so long," he explained.
Richards spoke on a variety of subjects ranging from India's prospects in the upcoming World Cup, best captains in the modern era and the reasons for the sharp decline of West Indies cricket during the interview.
The former captain had rated Virender Sehwag as the most destructive batsman in modern era but did he see any similarity in the Indian swashbuckler and his own batting?
"I think he has his own way of playing. Any comparison that could be is that he has no fear. I had no fear about fast bowlers. He trusts his instincts and I admire him 100 per cent for that attitude. He is a stylish player and has got the trust in himself which is very much required," he said.
Sachin After His 50 th Test Hundred
Sachin Tendulkar has always stressed that he never plays for records and it was no different when the media asked him to describe his feelings after completing the historic milestone of 50 Test centuries.
"I never think about records. I love to focus on preparation and trying to give more than 100 percent on the field. I love to play. Try and keep improving. If I would have been chasing records, I would not have opted out of few ODIs. I believe in producing quality cricket whenever I step on the cricket field.
About this particular knock, Sachin said,"Scoring in situation like this gives one immense pleasure. All of us know that how the wicket behaved on the first day of the match. I don't want to give any excuse but wicket was different only on the 1st day.
However, the legend feels that his knock of 136 vs Pakistan in Chennai (1999) was the most difficult knock of his career.
"I think my knock of 136 against Pakistan at Chennai was toughest. Wicket was really deteriorating and quality of bowling attack was outstanding."
Sachin also attributed his good show to the bat he has been using for almost one year.
"God has been kind to me. Yes, this bat has given amazing service to me. Normally, a bat doesn't last that long. You may get one bad awkward ball which keeps low and bat gets broken in the toe.
"I have been lucky as far as this bat is concerned. I know that this bat is not in best of condition as I am using it for so long. I have few bats absolutely ready for match. But the moment, I pick up this bat, I feel that no one can get me out," Sachin said with broad smile on his face.
For the record, Sachin has scored 12 hundreds with this bat including first ever ODI double century.
About the state of the match, Sachin said, "I won't rule out possibility of us saving this Test match."
Mahendra singh Dhoni about Sachin Tendulkar
Indian cricket captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni said that he doesn't like any comparisons between batting maestro Sachin Tendulkar and the legendary Don Bradman.
"I do not like comparisons between Sachin and Don as they played in different eras," Dhoni was quoted as saying by the Beeld Thursday.
There is no doubt that both are brilliant batsmen and...but Sachin has been around for two decades...the best in the world and had moreover throughout his career could adapt even with the demands of one-day cricket and more recently the Twenty20 version," he said.
Dhoni said Sachin's presence brings out the best in the team.
"He is the kind of guy who get the best out of with whoever he bats," said Dhoni.
"I was on the other side when he struck that 200 not out against South Africa in Gwalior," Dhoni said
"I do not like comparisons between Sachin and Don as they played in different eras," Dhoni was quoted as saying by the Beeld Thursday.
There is no doubt that both are brilliant batsmen and...but Sachin has been around for two decades...the best in the world and had moreover throughout his career could adapt even with the demands of one-day cricket and more recently the Twenty20 version," he said.
Dhoni said Sachin's presence brings out the best in the team.
"He is the kind of guy who get the best out of with whoever he bats," said Dhoni.
"I was on the other side when he struck that 200 not out against South Africa in Gwalior," Dhoni said
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