Sachin Tendulkar – From Endulkar to Almighty

Ritesh Chandra | Mar 26, 2010 | 43 comments

I was restless on my bed exactly 3 years ago at 3 am on March 24, 2007. Indian team was out of the world
cup 2007 in league stage. Like all the Indian cricket fans I too was very disappointed with the team’s
performance. However unlike other fans instead of cursing the players, I was thinking about the players’
state of mind, especially of the Little Master’s Sachin Tendulkar. Sehwag and Dravid were sitting outside the
dressing room with him and through the eyes, you could even see the pain that they were going through.
Nobody wants to lose!

But then the Indian Cricket fans (or the sub continent fans) are different from the world. Next morning, I
opened the idiot box and as expected, media had not spared anyone, in exploiting the sadness and turning it
into backlash towards the players. With the news items like all the seniors/non performing should be sacked
from the team immediately, it sparked a feeling of angst and hatred amongst the public. In the central Indian
city of Indore, dozens marched with what they described as “a funeral of Indian cricket”. It was just madness
all over. They didn’t stop over there, the players’ home were not safe, the fans started shouting and pelting
stones onto every player’s home. Dhoni’s house in Ranchi was broken by the so called fans. Suddenly the
news broke of few fans outside Sachin Tendulkar’s house in Mumbai who were demanding of his retirement.
I was amazed to see when a 10 year old boy started giving tips to Tendulkar, on how to defend a ball (as
Sachin got bowled in defending the inswinger from Dilhara Fernando). What the hell was going on!

“Tell me, the world has gone on talking about all this [our defeat and exit] but has anybody spared a thought
for us?,” asked an emotional Tendulkar. “Did they try to find out what we have been going through? I
am shattered beyond words and I feel helpless. I’ve never felt so bad in my entire career,” he
said. “No matter how many Tests or one-day
series you win, nothing else even comes close to a World Cup triumph. The World Cup was our passion, our
collective goal, our dream and that has been shattered. And we all are terribly disappointed over it.” Sachin,
was I not thinking the same?
I switched off the box and turned on my desktop. Being the moderator of the biggest Tendulkar community
on Orkut, I had already realized what it could be seen in the SRT community. Total Mess ! The loyalty of the
fans was on sake. The fans started leaving the community, saying Sachin has disappointed them and the
nation. True! But then what do we actually want? Do we want his head or what? Sachin Tendulkar himself
would have been more disappointed than any other person in the world, isn’t it? Cricket is his life and World
cup his dream. It was the time when many of us believed that if and Indian Team deserves to win, it was this
combination to win the Cup for India. With Ganguly, Dravid, Yuvraj, Dhoni, Uthappa, Zaheer, Kumble, Bhajji
in the side, this was Sachin’s best chance to win the Cup.

Except his loyal fans, the whole world went against him, asking for his retirement. From former players to
media and to Cricket Administrators all went against the Little Champ. Tendulkar didn’t say anything on his
retirement but he did reply to the allegation from the team coach Greg Chappell on his commitment by
saying,”Paani sar se ooncha ho gaya hai (Things have gone a bit too far to keep quiet). I’ve given my heart
and my soul for 17 years. No coach had mentioned even in passing that my attitude was not correct,”
Tendulkar told Times of India. “Cricket has been my life for all these years and will always be.”

India’s next tour was against Bangladesh, Tendulkar looked determined not to throw his wicket or go after
the bowling irrespective of the opponent. Scored back to back 100, fans hardly bothered team’s
performance against a team like Bangladesh. He scored 254 runs in 2 test matches and they were highest
by any player from both the teams. Fans and experts raised the question, Tendulkar scores against the
minnows. Tendulkar didn’t reply.
Then started the long tour of England. India was scheduled to play 1 ODI against Ireland, 3 ODIs against
South Africa (all in Glasgow), 7 ODIs & 3 test matches against England. Sachin, failing to flick a straighter
one from Whelan, got bowled out for just 4 while chasing a target of 170 odd runs. Then arrived the mighty
Proteas and Tendulkar showed his class and arrogance in the 3 match series scoring 200 runs (with 2
nineties) and was Man of the Series. Though the test series could not be termed as successful series by his
standard as Sachin scored 228 runs. But Tendulkar looked determined not to throw his
wicket. He didn’t play a singl rash shot in the entire
test series and was bit unlucky to get out on 91, but then his score of 91 and 84 runs did help India to win
the series in England after 20 years. In the 7 ODIs against England, he was in top form, scoring 374 runs
with two more scores of 90 plus. There were questions raised again that Sachin can’t play short pitch
bowling well as was hit by Anderson on helmet’s grill in test series,Tendulkar didn’t reply. Tendulkar scored
maximum runs in overall series 574 runs in 10 ODIs and 228 runs in Tests, a grand total of 802 runs.
He didn’t play the Twenty–20 World Cup and under MS Dhoni’s fresh scaptaincy, India won the inaugural T-
20 world cup. Questions were raised again, do we really need seniors? It was believed that India won
because Sachin, Dravid & Ganguly were not in the team. Tendulkar again didn’t react.

Australia arrived in Oct, just after the T-20 World Cup , India lost the series by 2-5, won in Mohali and
Mumbai. The anchor at Mohali was Sachin and Ganguly’s partnership. Dravid lost his place from ODI
team, Ganguly’s place was in danger. Sachin scored 278 runs in the series while the second best Yuvraj
had just 192 runs.
Shoaib Akhtar and co. were ready to take on the Indians in next series. Tendulkar was at his best in ODI’s
especially in Gwalior where he scored 97 runs. The innings was a combination of class and brilliant stroke
play. Sad to see him getting so close to 100 and yet not able to score 100. Though he scored 139 runs in
test series in 2 tests he played, but that test series clearly belonged to Dada. Sachin scored 259 runs in
ODIs next only to Yuvraj by just 13 runs. Questions raised again, Sachin gets nervous in the 90’s and
can’t score 100 that easily. Master was again silent.
 The Year 2007 went in trying to play the ball in the
right place. Showing the determination of how much he wants to stay on the wicket. Sachin Tendulkar was
greedy yet again. Though scores were more into 90’s but he looked solid as never before. Tendulkar was
scoring again for India. He didn’t say anything in media since the start of Bangladesh test series. But what
exactly was going in his mind, could anyone guess?
The new year began in style and controversy. Sachin Tendulkar finally scored a 100 at his most favorite
ground Sydney Cricket Ground. The match is more famous for the controversies than any other thing. But
nothing affected Sachin’s innings. Sachin kept scoring at all the grounds of Australia. The shot of the series
came in the 3rd test match at Perth. Brett Lee to Tendulkar, short ball, Tendulkar was almost ready to let the
ball go over his head, but on Perth pitch, the fastest on earth, against one of the fastest bowler, Tendulkar
showed what hand eye coordination is all about. How much time HE has to play ball. He played the ball at
the very last moment while ducking it. When everyone thought the ball would go past the batsman,
Tendulkar showed his class, bent a little bit and then sliced it over the slips to third man boundary. Mark
Nicholas was the commentator and his was reaction was, “ That’s awesome ! It’s one for the
photographer and one for our memory” .
May be only Tendulkar made that shot looked beautiful. No slog no hard hitting, innovation at its best and a
lesson for all the kids, a new way to tackle short pitch balls. Scored 493 runs in 4 test, the top scorer of the
series. In CB series final Sachin shows his class yet again. Without doubt, Australia, the best side in the
world has always brought best out of Sachin. His 117* in SCG was a treat to watch. India has never won a
tri series in Australia before. A drought was over. India won its 1st tri series tournament after the gap of 6
years. Sachin scored 399 runs in 10 ODI’s next only to Gambhir who scored 440 runs. Overall 892 runs on
the tour. Question raised: None. Ganguly’s career over in ODIs.
Next 2 series were not good for him, he missed the test series against South Africa and was not in touch
against Mendis and Murli in the test series. He wasn’t clueless against Ajantha Mendis and Muttiah
Muralitharan, like some of his team-mates, for he often began confidently only to get out in unorthodox ways
or to soft shots. From Sachin to Dravid, Laxman to Ganguly, it was a poor series for every senior batsmen.
The fab four’s career was on stake. The new question raised, should they get a chance to play together
again in test cricket? Are you still expecting a reply from Sachin? No, let the bat speak.
Australia arrived once again, Tendulkar was short of 77 runs in breaking the world record of most number of
runs in the test cricket. He did it in the second test at Mohali, that was my 1st day at RBS office and I was
fined for reaching the training room late. I forgot I was in office, I was clapping and cheering for every run he
scored before reaching the milestone. The atmosphere in cafeteria was like a stadium and in the process I
forgot my training. Nevermind, I was happy to pay the fine, may be for the 1st time in my

life. Tendulkar breaks his silence after months,

“ Success is a process and during that journey sometimes there are stones thrown at you and you
convert them into milestones. It’s a great feeling.” Runs kept coming in the entire series and he again was
the second highest run scorer from both the teams. 393 runs in 4 test . Gambhir was on top with 463
runs. Ganguly and Kumble retired from test cricket.

Tendulkar didn’t stop there, he played one of the best knock of his test cricket career at Chennai against the
Englishmen just after the 26/11 attack. Determined Tendulkar once again played a match winning knock,
that too in 4th innings of a test match. The innings which stopped people, fans, experts, media and critics
from raising any more question. But not a single time Tendulkar replied them directly. All he did was reply
with his bat. 4 back to back Centuries in test cricket and three huge score of 163*, 175 & 200* in ODI within
a year time, not to forget his 139 in the tri series finals.
3 years back, cricket fanatics, experts, media wanted Sachin to retire, today they all want him in the T-20
international cricket, though he has already retired from T-20 cricket. Sachin stands by his words. 3 years
after the disaster, Tendulkar is on the top! Though he was always on top amongst his fans but now on top of
every former cricketer’s list, media / experts and cricket fanatic’s list. Tendulkar never reacted to any of the
comments/ criticism made on him. The generous Tendulkar not even said anything against any of those
critics even after scoring so many runs.

This year I predicted everything correctly about his scores in every match he played. My close friend Alok
knows how good I am at predictions when it comes to the Master. My last and final prediction on Sachin
Tenudlkar, he will quit from Oneday Cricket and Twenty-20(including IPL) after the World Cup 2011
(irrespective of the result in the World Cup) and will continue to play the test cricket till 2015. But what’s in
Sachin Tendulkar’s mind is still a secret and we will only come to know about it through his bat.
The performance of top players since 24th March 2007 till Date:
Sachin Tendulkar
Test : 31, Runs: 2279, Average: 59.12, 100’s: 12, 50’s: 11
ODI: 58, Runs: 2751, Average: 51.90, 100’s: 5, 50’s: 16, Strike Rate: 89.20
Virender Sehwag
Test: 24, Runs: 2536, Average: 61.85, 100’s: 7, 50’s: 9
ODi: 51, Runs: 2094, Average: 42.73, 100’s: 4, 50’s: 11, Strike Rate: 124.71
Mohammad Yousuf
Test: 13, Runs: 878, Average: 38.17, 100’s: 1, 50’s: 5
ODi: 46, Runs: 1716, Average: 47.66, 100’s: 3, 50’s: 12, Strike Rate: 79.88
Yuvraj Singh
ODi: 84, Runs: 2797, Average: 39.95, 100’s: 5, 50’s: 16, Strike Rate: 92.70
Ricky Ponting
Test: 33, Runs: 2532, Average: 45.21, 100’s:6, 50’s: 15
ODi: 74, Runs: 2903, Average: 44.66, 100’s: 6, 50’s: 20, Strike Rate: 83.51
Kevin Pietersen
Test: 37, Runs: 2913, Average: 47.75, 100’s: 10, 50’s: 8
ODi: 54, Runs: 1573, Average: 36.58, 100’s: 4, 50’s: 8, Strike Rate:80.62
Jacques Kallis
Test: 30, Runs: 2413, Average: 53.62, 100’s: 10, 50’s: 8
ODi: 49 , Runs: 1965, Average: 49.12, 100’s: 2, 50’s: 16, Strike Rate: 78.66
MS Dhoni
Test: 28, Runs: 1722, Average: 50.64, 100’s: 3, 50’s: 14
ODi: 93, Runs: 3433, Average: 56.27, 100’s: 5, 50’s: 23, Strike Rate:85.52
Greame Smith
Test: 29, Runs: 2514, Average: 55.86, 100’s: 9, 50’s: 8
ODi: 43, Runs: 1772, Average: 44.30, 100’s: 2, 50’s: 17, Strike Rate:86.82
Mike Hussey
Test: 33, Runs: 2226, Average: 42.00, 100’s: 6, 50’s: 11
ODi: 77, Runs: 2391, Average: 48.79, 100’s: 0, 50’s: 20, Strike Rate: 86.41
Gambhir
Test: 18, Runs: 2114, Average: 66.06, 100’s: 8, 50’s: 8
ODi: 77, Runs: 2668, Average: 41.04, 100’s: 6, 50’s: 17, Strike Rate: 86:65
Rahul Dravid
Test: 32, Runs: 2221, Average: 42.71, 100’s: 6, 50’s: 12
Conclusion from the above stats:
• He is the third highest run getter in last 3 years. Sachin scored 5030 in 89 matches. Ponting on top with
5435 runs in 107(18 more matches than Sachin) matches followed by MS Dhoni who scored 5155 runs in
121(32 more matches than Sachin) matches.
• Tendulkar and Dhoni are the only players who have average more than 50 in both form of the game.
• Tendulkar topped with overall 17 centuries, followed by Gambhir who has 14.
• Sehwag on top when it comes to strike rates in ODI with 124.71 runs per 100 balls, followed by Yuvraj
(92.70) and Sachin Tendulkar (89.20)
The above stats clearly shows that why Sachin is the number one batsman in the last 3 years. Are
you reading Mr Ian Chappell? Ian Chappell wrote in his column “If Tendulkar had found an honest mirror
three years ago and asked the question: ‘Mirror, mirror on the wall who is the best batsman of all?’ It
would’ve answered: ‘Brian Charles Lara’. “If he asked that same mirror right now: ‘Mirror, mirror on the wall
should I retire?’ The answer would be: ‘Yes.”
If Ian Chappell has found a mirror right now and asked the question: “Mirror, mirror on the wall who is the
best batsman of all? It will answer:’Sachin Tendulkar’. “If he asks that same mirror right now: ‘Mirror, mirror
on the wall should I retire from writing?’ The answer would be: ‘Yes,”.

I hope Kapil Dev would stop cribbing after checking these stats. In every second innings of Sachin in past
three years he just said one thing, I want to see him play like the young Tendulkar, the Tendulkar of 90’s.
Here you go Mr Dev, Sachin is scoring almost at the strike rate of 90, better than all the contemporary
cricketers.

Ian Chappell in 2007

At the moment, he looks like a player trying to eke out a career; build on a glittering array of statistics, if he
really is playing for that reason and not to help win as many matches as he can for India, then he is wasting
his time and should retire immediately.”
Ian Chappell in 2010
It’s not just the number of runs he’s scored in this prolific period (although four Test centuries in six innings is
pretty impressive); rather it’s the manner of his run-gathering. In his scintillating 175 against Australia and
the double-century that demolished South Africa, it was his dominance that stood out. Both innings rattled
along at much better than a run-a-ball,s and when he is regularly punching drives off the back foot you know
Tendulkar is master of all he surveys.
Rameez Raja in 2007
“I would want to see him play regularly for India in Test matches, maybe not so in One-day cricket. You need
little more fire power in One-day cricket and the youngsters can provide that fire power. “Of late, his graph
has been going down and though he is averaging around 50, he has not been winning matches for India for
quite a few years. You need bit of experience and class (in Test cricket) and certainly Sachin has that
experience and class and maybe he will be of use to India in Test cricket.”
Rameez Raja in 2010
“He’s been a great ambassador for India and world cricket, He is a great role model because for someone
who has played international cricket for 20-odd years there isn’t a single scandal against him. It shows the
character of the man and he still has the passion and enthusiasm of a 10-year-old.”
Kapil Dev in 2007
“Sachin Tendulkar should retire. A player should know when his time is over, like Gavaskar. People asked
him, why now? Instead of why not retiring.”
Kapil Dev in 2010
“Sachin has touched several milestones during his 20-year career in the international cricket. He certainly
deserves the Bharat Ratna. We will be very happy if he gets the highest honour of the country, Even if
Sachin would have got a duck in this innings, still I would say that he deserves the honour. No decision
should be taken on the basis of performance in one match, but I am keeping in mind his overall
contribution.”
Times Of India in 2006
Endulkar – On Sachin’s retirement
Times of India in 2010
‘Tendulkar is Almighty now’
How things have been changed from 2007 to 2010. Its hard to believe people commented and had doubt on
the India’s biggest icon and most favourite son. Enough have been said about the year 98. Enough have
been said about his 200 at Gwalior. Its time to shut our mouth and let the master’s bat speaks for him and
his fans. Things have turned around again and to conclude everything there can’t be a better saying than the
one follows. As the famous placard during the Mumbai Indians vs Delhi Daredevils read “ Sachin
Tendulkar— Reducing the number of atheists since 1989.”
Sachin Tendulkar: favoured by all
SURESH MENON
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AFPWhen he smiles a whole nation smiles with him.

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From the Sportstar
Great sportsmen straddle many worlds. They leave behind the merely good very quickly as
they enter rarefied areas defined as much by their mastery as by the elements that do not
even enter the debate when others are discussed. Part of Don Bradman's greatness lay in his
Test average of 99.94, but partly it was also a function of what he meant to a nation coming
to terms with itself; he defined Australian nationhood.

It is an accident of time and space, this identification with an evolving nation, but it is crucial
to the understanding of the context of greatness. W. G. Grace, for example, was the icon of
Victorian England, representing both its elements and its aspirations. Such players dominate
their era, and tell us there is more to greatness in batting than a fabulous cover drive or a
delicate leg glance.

The intangibles enter the equation, and other things remaining equal (statistics, averages,
role in victories), the intangibles tip the balance. There was a time when it was difficult to
separate the careers of Sachin Tendulkar and Brian Lara — both had similar statistics,
influence on their teams, impact on bowlers around the world. Lara's taste for huge scores
meant he held the individual batting record for both Tests and first class cricket, 375 and 501
respectively made within two months of each other in 1994. Tendulkar, four years younger,
more consistent, less flamboyant, more sober, less controversial, frustrated the bowlers with
a defence of Gavaskar-like certainty and an attack that could match Lara's.

“Sachin is a genius,” said Lara himself, “I am a mere mortal.”

Even if that is taken as a modest assessment by a great rival when Lara first made the point,
today it is difficult to disagree. After Tendulkar's ‘ Second Coming', the statistics too go in
favour of the Indian. At 37, when Lara called it a day, Tendulkar discovered a new steel, a
new joy of batsmanship, a new purpose that was difficult to distinguish from those he
entered the game with at the age of 16. In his last 15 Tests, Tendulkar has scored 1811 runs,
with eight centuries and an average of 86.23. To get Bradmanesque when others of his age
are rediscovering the joys of fatherhood or the comforts of the commentary box places
Tendulkar not just in another league, but on another planet altogether.

The debate today is not about who is the best batsman after Bradman, it is about deciding
whether Tendulkar is better than Bradman was given the range of his game (Bradman didn't
play a single one-dayer, Tendulkar the greatest batsman without argument in that form of
the game has played 442), the travel, the greater media and public pressure and the fact that
he has played more years (Bradman had a break of five years during the War), on more
grounds (57 different Test grounds in 10 countries to Bradman's 10 in two countries), and
destroyed more bowling attacks.

Tendulkar versus Lara, let's get the statistics out of the way first. Lara ended his career after
131 Tests, 11,953 runs, an average of 52.88 and 34 centuries. Tendulkar's figures at the end of
his 131st Test (he played 23 fewer innings) were 10,434 runs, an average of 55.79 and 35
centuries. Little to choose there between the two, although Tendulkar's current figures tend
to border on the verge of absurdity, like the US budget deficit or the temperature at the
centre of the sun. Body willing, Tendulkar could play 200 Test matches, score 16 or 17
thousand runs and over 55 centuries. This is not just startling, but faintly ridiculous too. Such
figures cease to have any real meaning simply because it is difficult to get our minds around
them.

And when you consider that there could be another 50 ODI centuries and nearly 20,000 runs
in that format, it would be foolish to even consider anyone else in the same league. Lara,
twice holder of the individual score, the first man to make 400 in a Test innings will have to
move into that portion of the stage inhabited by second fiddles.

But, as mentioned earlier, the debate cannot be reduced to statistics and averages, for then
we would be ignoring the intangibles that make up the whole picture. Statistics can only be
the basis for starting the debate. Greatness is made up of other elements you cannot put a
decimal point on. Such things as respect for the craft, contribution to the team.

Lara, a great player in a mediocre team, has had to go it alone for most of his career, finishing
on the winning side only 32 times. His average in Tests won is 61.02 (eight centuries).
Tendulkar, by contrast, averages 69.14 in the 59 Tests India won when he was playing (20
centuries).

So stunning has been the impact of his figures that Tendulkar's historical contribution to
Indian cricket is often forgotten. In a recent exercise to choose an all-time India XI, it became
apparent even to those generally slow to recognise good times when they are living through it
that the Golden Age of Indian cricket is here and now. Four players in the list were current
national players, and two had retired only recently.

In sport, greatness is usually bestowed retrospectively. Perhaps it is no coincidence that India

are currently the number one side in the world.

That six of the eleven made their debuts after November 1989, when Tendulkar first
announced himself to the world, is a tribute to the Mumbai man's impact. Golden Ages must
have their iconic figure and Tendulkar is clearly the one here, both for what he has
accomplished himself and for his qualities that inspired the others.

Lara, through no fault of his own, presided over the decline of West Indies cricket and his
impact therefore has been far less than Tendulkar's on Indian cricket and cricket-watching
public.

The major difference between the two great players has been in their attitude towards the
game. Lara, like, Tiger Woods in another context, has always had a sense of entitlement, a
feeling that cricket owed him for his being one of its most accomplished players. This was
especially evident during his stints as captain and the tantrums he threw when his wishes
were not met. Tendulkar might not have taken up the cause of players when a word from him
could have made a difference, but he had no sense of entitlement. The guiding force was
gratitude to the sport for making him what he is.

Like Bradman in another era, Tendulkar too has been both representative and flag-bearer of
a nation rediscovering its self-confidence and redefining its identity. Diffidence has been
replaced by inspired self-worth, and in a nation often riven by faith and religion and artificial
lines of separation, he has been a hero across the divisions. Again, it is not Lara's fault that he
cannot play a similar role in a country, the West Indies, that exists only on the cricket field
but divides into Jamaica and Trinidad and Barbados and others off it.

Tendulkar is a product of his period. Time and space are in his favour. As are those qualities
that define greatness, discipline, tough work ethic, the ability to both extract joy from the
game and distribute it to millions as well as the creativity to invent new ways of scoring runs,
and the ability to score them consistently.

Lara will have his supporters, but for the majority of fans (and not necessarily in the
subcontinent), the debate was resolved long ago. Tendulkar first