Sachin's glorious years in cricket

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Sachin's glorious years in cricket - Part VI

Even after re-writing record books and earning a huge name and fame for himself, Sachin has remained grounded and his personality still reflects the modesty seen when he first stepped on to the international cricket arena on November 15, 1989.

CJ: Rajiv Azad

Thu, Nov 19, 2009 11:43:19 IST

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Cricket News India :

RECENTLY, SHIV Sena chief Balasahab Thackarey had raised a hue and cry, regarding a statement given by Tendulkar. The master blaster, in response to a query had said, “Mumbai belongs to all Indians. I am a Maharashtrian and am extremely proud of that. But I am an Indian first.” Politicians, sports personalities and a host of other prominent icons came forward in Sachin’s support and expressed their ire against the Shiv Sena patriarch.

Even after re-writing record books and earning a huge name and fame for himself, Sachin has remained grounded and his personality still reflects the modesty seen when he first stepped on to the international cricket arena on November 15, 1989. His achievements on and off the field have attracted the attention of many. This is what they say about him:

BBC Sports: Beneath the helmet, under that unruly curly hair, inside the cranium, there is something we don't know, something beyond scientific measure. Something that allows him to soar, to roam a territory of sport that, even those who are gifted enough to play alongside him cannot fathom. When he goes out to bat, people switch on their television sets and switch off their lives.

Sir Don Bradman: I saw him playing on television and was struck by his technique. Now I never saw myself play, but I feel that this player is playing much the same as I used to play, and she looked at him on television and said yes, there is a similarity between the two...his compactness, technique, stroke production... it all seemed to be in reference to Sachin Tendulkar.

Sunil Gavaskar: India's fortune will depend on how many runs the little champion scores. There is no doubt Tendulkar is the real thing.

Dennis Lillee: If I've to bowl to Sachin, I'll bowl with my helmet on. He hits the ball so hard.

Greg Chappell: He is a perfectly balanced batsman and knows perfectly well when to attack and when to play defensive cricket. He has developed the ability to treat bowlers all over the world with contempt and can destroy any attack with utmost ease.

Geoffrey Boycott: Technically, you can't fault Sachin. Seam or spin, fast or slow, nothing is a problem.

Vivian Richards: I think he is marvellous. I think, he will fit in whatever category of cricket that has been played or will be played, from the first ball that has ever been bowled to the last ball that's going to be. He can play in any era and at any level. I would say he's 99.5 per cent perfect.

Abdul Qadir: I was fielding in the covers. Tendulkar came out to bat in his debut Test at Karachi. I still remember Waqar Younis was at his peak form at that time. Tendulkar tried to drive Waqar through the covers off his very first ball in Test cricket but was beaten all ends up. But I walked to captain Imran Khan and told him 'this kid looks very good' and Imran agreed with me.

Ian Healy: Tendulkar is the most complete batsman I have stood behind. I saw the hundred in Perth on a bouncy pitch with Hughes, McDermott and Whitney gunning for him. He only had 60-odd when No 11 came in. I've seen him against Warne too

Shane Warne: I'll be going to bed having nightmares of Sachin just running down the wicket and belting me back over the head for six. He was unstoppable. I don't think anyone, apart from Don Bradman, is in the same class as Sachin Tendulkar. He is just an amazing player.

Wasim Akram: Cricketers like Sachin come once in a lifetime and I am privileged he played in my time," said Pakistan legend.

Mark Waugh: The pressure on me is nothing as compared to Sachin Tendulkar. Sachin, like God, must never fail. The crowd always expects him to succeed and it is too much pressure on him.

Mathew Hayden: His life seems to be a stillness in a frantic world... [When he goes out to bat], it is beyond chaos - it is a frantic appeal by a nation to one man. The people see him as a God...

Brett Lee: You might pitch a ball on the off stump and think you have bowled a good ball and he walks across and hits it for two behind midwicket. His bat looks so heavy but he just waves it around like it's a toothpick.

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