Dhoni lauds ‘aggressive’ Ashwin
MS Dhoni’s processes and plans worked to clockwork precision on Sunday as Chennai stormed to the ACLT20 title.
By Rajarshi Gupta in Johannesburg
His trademark shot to the fence helped the Chennai Super Kings win the Airtel CL T20 but MS Dhoni remained and as cool and collected as ever- even as the rest of his team went wild with frenzy. And why not- they had achieved a double within the space of months- the IPL and now the conquest in South Africa- a conquest that obviously came on the back of some strong planning.
The calm Dhoni exuded after hitting the winning runs in a packed Wanderers, three years after he had led India to the World T20 championship reflected how he looked at the final on Sunday. “We stick to processes and if we stick to them, we will end up on the winning side,” is something Dhoni often says. Sunday evening was an example of what exactly he means. There is nothing copybook in his cricket or captaincy but there certainly is a clever method to all his ‘Midas touches.’
The turning point of the match was easy to spot. Warriors skipper Davy Jacobs was in the midst of another blitz, Doug Bollinger and Alibe Morkel were under heavy fire and Chennai looked like they needed to chase down a massive total till it happened. R Ashwin, the eventual Man of the Series and the highest wicket taker of the tournament, trapped Jacobs in front of the wickets. Few had expected the fiery opener to go down without a major assault on Chennai’s spinners but Dhoni had done his homework well.
“The Warriors got off to a perfect start, the kind of start needed in the final of a big tournament like this. But we all knew the spinners' spell would be the key feature.
“We knew that the Warriors would have been expecting Ashwin in early, like always. He got the wicket of Davy Jacobs at the end of the sixth over and after that we were able to put some pressure on their batting," Dhoni said.
The India skipper, who might have just led the Super Kings for the last time (what with the fresh auctions coming up in November), had a different role for his spinners.
“We wanted the spinners to bowl in the middle stages because we don’t have a lot of bowlers who can take the pace off the ball. That would have hampered our chances of winning.”
That was actually a masterstroke. It wasn’t until the sixth over that the skipper brought on the more successful bowler of the tournament despite the two pacers being treated with disdain. Coming on for the last over of the power play meant Ashiwn would always be under pressure from a set batsman, who was looking to use the field restrictions to the hilt. The offie kept his cool and delivered, in the process, earning accolades from his captain.
“Ashwin is an aggressive character and is always up for a challenge. He is always ready to bowl and is a very smart character. He has a lot of variations and knows what field he wants to bowl to. He really doesn’t need much guidance on the field,” Dhoni said.
Dhoni was also effusive in his praise for L Balaji who, with Ashwin and Muttiah Muralitharan restricted the Warriors in the middle stages.
“Also let's not forget the bowling spell of Balaji. "That was also important to keep the pressure on from both sides and we saw how his spell allowed for Murali and Ashwin to get wickets."
Warriors skipper Davy Jacobs admitted that his team was outfoxed by Chennai’s spinners and that they weren’t good enough to handle them.
“The two spinners tied us down and our batsmen did not play them well. That was the game,” Jacobs said, hardly betraying any emotion after losing a big ticket final infront of a massive home crowd.
The Super Kings lorded over the Bull Ring Sunday night and there was no mistaking where the campaign had started- in that sharp mind Dhoni keeps handy. Talk of sticking to processes.
Courtesy: ESPN.COM
Monday, September 27, 2010
Super Kings crowned T20 champions!
Johannesburg: The Chennai Super Kings ascended the World T20 throne and the coronation took place at the Wanderers here tonight when they rode high, mighty and handsome while demolishing the Eastern Cape Warriors by eight wickets in the final of the Airtel Champions League.
The Super Kings, winners of the 2010 IPL, thus achieved a unique double as they picked up the cash prize of US Dollars 2.5 Million while the Warriors who looked out of depth, went home richer by USD 1.3 Million.
For bonus, the Super Kings picked up both the Golden Bat and Golden Wicket awards as Murali Vijay (294) and Ravichandran Ashwin (13), who turned 24 only last week, topped for most runs and wickets, respectively. Ashwin also won the Man of the Series award while Vijay was adjudged Man of the Match.
Batting first on winning the toss, the Warriors, after a rollicking start, were all at sea against the “Spin Twins” Muttiah Muralitharan (3 for 16) and Ashwin (2 for 16) and managed just 128 for seven.
In reply, the Super Kings had few problems in chasing down the total. Openers Michael Hussey (51 not out) and Murali Vijay (58), pacing themselves brilliantly, made light of the target with a 103-run partnership as the Super Kings made 132 for two in 19 overs.
The Warriors lost the plot after the exit of skipper David Jacobs who blasted a 21-ball 34. The rest of the batsmen were far too circumspect, especially against the spinners who, on their part, teased and tormented the willow-wielders.
In the event, while the first five overs saw eight boundaries, all by Jacobs, the next 15 had mere five hits to the fence and a six as the Warriors crumbled after a promising start.
Like the proverbial cat on the hot tin roof, Jacobs danced about the crease, hitting fours as if there was no tomorrow. He was severe on the two new ball bowlers, Doug Bollinger and Albie Morkel to set a scorching pace for the innings.
However, it was too good to last and Bollinger struck with a low full toss that Ashwell Prince missed to lose his off-stump, in the fifth over.
Dhoni, shrewd as ever, brought on Ashwin for the next over and the tall offie obliged, courtesy a rash attempt by Jacobs who was caught plumb in front missing a reverse sweep.
The two wickets turned the game around and the Super Kings then cut through the line-up that appeared clueless against the spin of Ashwin and Muralitharan as wickets fell at regular intervals.
The only solace for the Warriors came in the form of the 18 runs that they scored off Balaji’s final over and innings’ 17th with Craig Thyssen belting a six and two boundaries.
Such was the grip that the Super Kings bowlers exerted that the 20th over, bowled by Muralitharan saw only four runs scored for the loss of one wicket, leaving the Warriors floundering at 128 for seven, a total that looked well within the reach of the Chennai outfit.
The Super Kings, as usual, began sedately with Vijay doing most of the scoring. A couple of boundaries off Makhaya Ntini provided the chase an early acceleration as the openers bided their time.
The focus of the openers was to play safe, running the singles hard and an occasional boundary breaking the pattern. The runs came at a steady pace while the Warriors missed out on two opportunities to take a wicket.
Vijay, on 15 in 27 for no loss, was lucky when he edged Juan Theron between the lone slip Justin Kreusch and wicket-keeper Mark Boucher to the third man fence. And when on 35 in a total of 61), he had another reprieve when Boucher fumbled with a collection with the batsman lured out of the crease by Johan Botha.
A quiet word from Hussey apparently steadied Vijay and the pair batted most sensibly while looking to be on a Sunday evening stroll in the park. However, Vijay opened up soon after with two towering sixes before holing out in the deep, before holing out in the deep attempting another off Boje.
In the next over, Suresh Raina got out for a slog shot to provide a little twist to the match as the Super Kings needed run a ball to get to the target which Hussey and Dhoni did quite comfortably.
Quite fittingly, Dhoni delivered the decisive blows with a massive six followed by two boundaries off Theron, bowling the 19th over, to set off the celebrations.
SOCRE-BOARD
Eastern Cape Warriors Innings:
David Jacobs lbw Ashwin 34 (21b, 8 x 4)
Ashwell Prince b Bollinger 06 (9b)
Colin Ingram c Raina b Morkel 16 (23b, 1 x 4)
Justin Kreusch c Raina b Muralitharan 17 (17b, 1 x 4)
Mark Boucher b Muralitharan 05 (11b)
Johan Botha c Srikkanth b Ashwin 07 (10b)
Craig Thyssen c Srikkanth b Muralitharan 25 (18b, 1 x 6, 3 x 4)
Nicky Boje (not out) 08 (10b)
Juan Theron (not out) 02 (1b)
Extras (lb-4, w-4): 08
Total (for 7 wkts, 20 overs): 128.
Fall of wickets: 1-39 (Prince, 4.1); 2-45 (Jacobs, 5.4); 3-73 (Ingram, 10.5); 4-81 (Boucher, 13.1); 5-82 (Kreusch, 13.5); 6-111 (Botha, 17.5); 7-125 (Thyssen, 19.4).
Bowling: Doug Bollinger 4-0-33-1; Albie Morkel 4-0-31-1 (2w); Ravichandran Ashwin 4-0-16-2 (1w); Lakshmipathy Balaji 4-0-28-0 (1w); Muralitharan 4-0-16-3.
Chennai Super Kings Innings:
Michael Hussey (not out) 51 (46b, 3 x 4)
Murali Vijay c Kreusch b Boje 58 (33b, 2 x 6, 6 x 4)
Suresh Raina c Botha b Ntini 02 (3b)
Mahendra Singh Dhoni (not out) 17 (12b, 1 x 6, 2 x 4)
Extras (lb-1, w-3): 04
Total (for 2 wkts, 19 overs): 132.
Fall of wickets: 1-103 (Vijay, 14.5);
Bowling: Makhaya Ntini 4-0-30-1 (1w); Lonwabo Tsotsobe 3-0-14-0; Juan Theron 4-0-40-0 (2w); Johan Botha 4-0-18-0; Nicky Boje 4-0-29-1.
Umpires:Rudi Koertzen (South Africa) and Aleem Dar (Pakistan)
The Super Kings, winners of the 2010 IPL, thus achieved a unique double as they picked up the cash prize of US Dollars 2.5 Million while the Warriors who looked out of depth, went home richer by USD 1.3 Million.
For bonus, the Super Kings picked up both the Golden Bat and Golden Wicket awards as Murali Vijay (294) and Ravichandran Ashwin (13), who turned 24 only last week, topped for most runs and wickets, respectively. Ashwin also won the Man of the Series award while Vijay was adjudged Man of the Match.
Batting first on winning the toss, the Warriors, after a rollicking start, were all at sea against the “Spin Twins” Muttiah Muralitharan (3 for 16) and Ashwin (2 for 16) and managed just 128 for seven.
In reply, the Super Kings had few problems in chasing down the total. Openers Michael Hussey (51 not out) and Murali Vijay (58), pacing themselves brilliantly, made light of the target with a 103-run partnership as the Super Kings made 132 for two in 19 overs.
The Warriors lost the plot after the exit of skipper David Jacobs who blasted a 21-ball 34. The rest of the batsmen were far too circumspect, especially against the spinners who, on their part, teased and tormented the willow-wielders.
In the event, while the first five overs saw eight boundaries, all by Jacobs, the next 15 had mere five hits to the fence and a six as the Warriors crumbled after a promising start.
Like the proverbial cat on the hot tin roof, Jacobs danced about the crease, hitting fours as if there was no tomorrow. He was severe on the two new ball bowlers, Doug Bollinger and Albie Morkel to set a scorching pace for the innings.
However, it was too good to last and Bollinger struck with a low full toss that Ashwell Prince missed to lose his off-stump, in the fifth over.
Dhoni, shrewd as ever, brought on Ashwin for the next over and the tall offie obliged, courtesy a rash attempt by Jacobs who was caught plumb in front missing a reverse sweep.
The two wickets turned the game around and the Super Kings then cut through the line-up that appeared clueless against the spin of Ashwin and Muralitharan as wickets fell at regular intervals.
The only solace for the Warriors came in the form of the 18 runs that they scored off Balaji’s final over and innings’ 17th with Craig Thyssen belting a six and two boundaries.
Such was the grip that the Super Kings bowlers exerted that the 20th over, bowled by Muralitharan saw only four runs scored for the loss of one wicket, leaving the Warriors floundering at 128 for seven, a total that looked well within the reach of the Chennai outfit.
The Super Kings, as usual, began sedately with Vijay doing most of the scoring. A couple of boundaries off Makhaya Ntini provided the chase an early acceleration as the openers bided their time.
The focus of the openers was to play safe, running the singles hard and an occasional boundary breaking the pattern. The runs came at a steady pace while the Warriors missed out on two opportunities to take a wicket.
Vijay, on 15 in 27 for no loss, was lucky when he edged Juan Theron between the lone slip Justin Kreusch and wicket-keeper Mark Boucher to the third man fence. And when on 35 in a total of 61), he had another reprieve when Boucher fumbled with a collection with the batsman lured out of the crease by Johan Botha.
A quiet word from Hussey apparently steadied Vijay and the pair batted most sensibly while looking to be on a Sunday evening stroll in the park. However, Vijay opened up soon after with two towering sixes before holing out in the deep, before holing out in the deep attempting another off Boje.
In the next over, Suresh Raina got out for a slog shot to provide a little twist to the match as the Super Kings needed run a ball to get to the target which Hussey and Dhoni did quite comfortably.
Quite fittingly, Dhoni delivered the decisive blows with a massive six followed by two boundaries off Theron, bowling the 19th over, to set off the celebrations.
SOCRE-BOARD
Eastern Cape Warriors Innings:
David Jacobs lbw Ashwin 34 (21b, 8 x 4)
Ashwell Prince b Bollinger 06 (9b)
Colin Ingram c Raina b Morkel 16 (23b, 1 x 4)
Justin Kreusch c Raina b Muralitharan 17 (17b, 1 x 4)
Mark Boucher b Muralitharan 05 (11b)
Johan Botha c Srikkanth b Ashwin 07 (10b)
Craig Thyssen c Srikkanth b Muralitharan 25 (18b, 1 x 6, 3 x 4)
Nicky Boje (not out) 08 (10b)
Juan Theron (not out) 02 (1b)
Extras (lb-4, w-4): 08
Total (for 7 wkts, 20 overs): 128.
Fall of wickets: 1-39 (Prince, 4.1); 2-45 (Jacobs, 5.4); 3-73 (Ingram, 10.5); 4-81 (Boucher, 13.1); 5-82 (Kreusch, 13.5); 6-111 (Botha, 17.5); 7-125 (Thyssen, 19.4).
Bowling: Doug Bollinger 4-0-33-1; Albie Morkel 4-0-31-1 (2w); Ravichandran Ashwin 4-0-16-2 (1w); Lakshmipathy Balaji 4-0-28-0 (1w); Muralitharan 4-0-16-3.
Chennai Super Kings Innings:
Michael Hussey (not out) 51 (46b, 3 x 4)
Murali Vijay c Kreusch b Boje 58 (33b, 2 x 6, 6 x 4)
Suresh Raina c Botha b Ntini 02 (3b)
Mahendra Singh Dhoni (not out) 17 (12b, 1 x 6, 2 x 4)
Extras (lb-1, w-3): 04
Total (for 2 wkts, 19 overs): 132.
Fall of wickets: 1-103 (Vijay, 14.5);
Bowling: Makhaya Ntini 4-0-30-1 (1w); Lonwabo Tsotsobe 3-0-14-0; Juan Theron 4-0-40-0 (2w); Johan Botha 4-0-18-0; Nicky Boje 4-0-29-1.
Umpires:Rudi Koertzen (South Africa) and Aleem Dar (Pakistan)
Sunday, June 20, 2010
chennai super kings team
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Sachin- Shell house
Image via WikipediaSachin’s long dream of getting a new house for him is been finally accomplished. Sachin got his new house in sub urban Mumbai in Carter Road, Bandra West. Dorab Villa was purchased by Sachin for Rs 35 crores. When he purchased it was looking like this.
Dorba Villa was originally built in 1920 square feet of 10,000 and the house was occupied by a Parsi family.
Saturday, May 22, 2010
Friday, May 21, 2010
S.TENDULKAR
Image via WikipediaName: Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar
Nick Name: The Master Blaster, The Little Champion, The Bombay Bomber
DOB: 24-04-1973
Test Debut: Pakistan at Karachi, 1st Test, 1989/90
ODI Debut: Pakistan at Gujranwala,
Batting Style: Right Hand Bat
Bowling Style: Right Arm Off Break, Leg Break, Right Arm Medium, Leg Break Googly
Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar (born 24 April 1973) is an Indian cricketer. He holds several batting records, including the most Test centuries and the most one-day international centuries, and was rated in 2002 by Wisden as the second greatest Test batsman ever, after Sir Don Bradman. He received the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna, India’s highest sporting honour, for 1997-1998, and the civilian award Padma Shri in 1999. Tendulkar was a Wisden Cricketer of the Year in 1997. Early daysBorn in Mumbai (then Bombay) into a middle-class family.
Sachin Tendulkar was named after his family’s favourite music director Sachin Dev Burman.
He went to Sharadashram Vidyamandir School where he started his cricketing career under coach Ramakant Achrekar. While at school, he was involved in a mammoth 664 run partnership in a Harris Shield game with friend and team mate Vinod Kambli. In 1988/1989, he scored 100 not-out in his first first-class match, for Bombay against Gujarat. At 15 years and 232 days he was the youngest to score a century on debut. International career Sachin played his first international match against Pakistan in Karachi in 1989, facing the likes of Wasim Akram, Imran Khan, Abdul Qadir, and Waqar Younis. He made just 15 runs, being bowled by Waqar Younis, who also made his debut in that match. It was an inauspicious start, but Tendulkar followed it up with his maiden Test fifty a few days later at Faisalabad. His One-day International (ODI) debut on December 18 was equally disappointing, where he was dismissed without scoring a run, again by Waqar Younis. The series was followed by a non-descript tour of New Zealand in which he fell for 88 in a Test match, John Wright, who would later coach India, pouching the catch that prevented Tendulkar from becoming the youngest centurion in Test cricket. The long anticipated maiden Test century came in England’s tour in 1990 but the other scores were not remarkable. Tendulkar truly came into his own in the 1991-1992 tour of Australia that included a brilliant century on the fast and bouncy track at Perth. He has been Man of the Match 11 times in Test matches and Man of the Series twice, both times in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia.
His first ODI century came on September 9, 1994 against Australia in Sri Lanka at Colombo. It had taken Tendulkar 79 ODIs to score a century.Sachin Tendulkar is the only player to score a century while making his Ranji Trophy, Duleep Trophy and Irani Trophy debut.
Wisden named Tendulkar one of the Cricketers of the Year in 1997, the first calendar year in which he scored 1,000 Test runs. He repeated the feat in 1999, 2001, and 2002.
Tendulkar also holds the record for scoring 1,000 ODI runs in a calendar year. He has done it six times - 1994, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2000 and 2003. In 1998 he made 1,894 ODI runs, still the record for ODI runs by any batsman in any given calendar year.
In 1996, Sachin Tendulkar took over as the captain of the Indian cricket team and served as a captain for two terms. He gives constant suggestions and building strategies to the Indian captain and still remains a fundamental part of the Indian team. Sachin Tendulkar is ranked by the objective scoring method of the Wisden 100 as the second best test batsman and best ODI batsman of all time and also holds the record of securing the highest number of centuries in Test (39) and ODI cricket (42). He is also one of the few players who are still playing international cricket from the 1980s.
Sachin Tendulkar was bought as the icon and most expensive player for the Mumbai Indians team at the 2008 Indian Premier League (IPL) for US$1,121,250. He was the captain of the Mumbai Indians team and featured in seven matches, scoring 188 runs, his highest being 65.
In recognition to his contribution to the field of cricket, Sachin Tendulkar was conferred with the Arjuna Award, by the Government of India in 1994. He was named as the 1997 Wisden Cricketer of the Year and was also the recipient of the 1997-98 Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna, India’s highest honour given for achievement in sports. In 1999, Sachin Tendulkar was awarded with Padma Shri, India's fourth highest civilian award and was named as the Player of the tournament at the 2003 Cricket World Cup. He was also named in the ICC World ODI XI for two years, 2004 and 2007 and in September 2007 Sachin Tendulkar secured the first place in the list of 50 greatest cricketers by Shane Warne, a former international Australian cricketer. In 2008, he was presented with Padma Vibhushan, India's second highest civilian award and was suggested for an honorary knighthood by Gordon Brown, the British Prime Minister.
BEST QUOTES
Image via WikipediaI saw him playing on television and was struck by his technique, so I asked my wife to come look at him. 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 gel.
Sir Donald Bradman
In terms of technique and compactness, Tendulkar is the best.
Desmond Haynes
I have watched a lot of Tendulkar and we have spoken to each other a lot. He has it in him to be among the very best.
Sir Garfield Sobers
He is 99.5 per cent perfect. I'd pay to see him.
Viv Richards
Technically he stands out as the best because of his ability to increase the pace at will.
David Boon
There is no shame being beaten by such a great player, Sachin is perhaps only next to the Don.
Steve Waugh
Sachin is cricket’s god.
Barry Richards
India's fortune will depend on how many runs the little champion scores. There is no doubt Tendulkar is the real thing.
Sunil Gavaskar
A complete batsman — he's the best in the business.
Mohinder Amarnath
Sachin is an attacker. He has much more power than Sunny. He wants to be the one to set the pace. He has to be on top. That's the buzz about him.
Jeff Thompson
If I've to bowl to Sachin, I'll bowl with my helmet on. He hits the ball so hard.
Dennis Lillee
You take Don Bradman away and he is next up I reckon.
Steve Waugh
Don't bowl him bad balls, he hits the good ones for fours.
Michael Kasprowicz
Hell, if he had stayed, even at 11 an over he would have got it.
Allan Border (after India won the Coca-Cola cup in Sharjah)
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.
Greg Chappell
I'd like to see him go out and bat one day with a stump. I tell you he'd do okay.
Greg Chappell
He's a phenomenon. We have to be switched on when he plays allow him no boundries, for then he doesn't stop.
Mark Taylor
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.
Ian Healy
He has defined cricket in his fabulous, impeccable manner. He is to batting what Shane Warne is to bowling.
Richie Benaud
He's better than Ben Hur.
Paul Wilson
I still think Tendulkar is the best batsmen in the world, ahead of Steve Waugh and Lara.
Glenn McGrath
There's no doubt about it. He is the best.
Tony Grieg
Technically, you can't fault Sachin. Seam or spin, fast or slow – nothing is a problem.
Geoffrey Boycott
Sometime back I had written a piece that said that Sachin's the master and Lara a genius with his head high up somewhere. That's it.
Peter Roebuck
A little genius. Reminds me of Sunny Gavaskar.
Keith Fletcher
He is Sachin Tendulkar. I hope he stays Sachin Tendulkar. We need a new player, a player in his own way. He has a technique which is the hallmark of a great player. Everything indicates that he will be a great player and I am sure he will prove me right. Reminds me of Barry Richards.
Eddie Barlow
Destined to be a great.
Barry Richards
What we (Zimbabwe) need is 10 Tendulkars.
Paul Strang
Cricketers like Sachin come once in a lifetime and I am privileged he played in my time.
Wasim Akram
While I keep hoping he gets out, I must admit that his stroke play is a treat to watch.
Mark Waugh
I have seen God. He bats at number 4 for India.
Mathew Hayden
You have to watch India in India truly to appreciate the pressure that Sachin Tendulkar is under every time he bats. Outside grounds, people wait until he goes in before paying to enter. They seem to want a wicket to fall even though it is their own side that will suffer.
Shane Warne
Much has been made of my personal contest with Tendulkar. Some people have said that my duel with Tendulkar in India in 1997-98 was the most compelling Test cricket they have ever seen, but there is no doubt he enjoyed the better of the exchanges. He has played me better than anybody. Most Indian batsmen pick the length very quickly, even when it is flighted above the eyeline, but Tendulkar moved into position even earlier than the likes of Mohammad Azharuddin and Rahul Dravid. His footwork is immaculate. He would either go right forward or all the way back and he has the confidence to go for his strokes. I suppose I would be confident too if I batted as well as Tendulkar.
Shane Warne
You have to decide for yourself whether you're bowling well or not. He's going to hit you for fours and sixes anyway. Kasprowicz has a superior story. During the Bangalore Test, frustrated, he went to Dennis Lillee and asked, 'Mate, do you see any weaknesses?' Lillee replied, 'No Michael, as long as you walk off with your pride, that's all you can do.
Shane Warne
When it comes to judging the best among these fabulous band of batsmen, my vote goes to Tendulkar. He has an uncanny ability to come out on top under different circumstances and under different conditions, whether it is Test cricket or one-day internationals. And more importantly, he has done this so young.
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.
Shane Warne
I have always felt C. K. Nayadu was the best. I now think Sachin has the honour of being the most outstanding batsman of all time.
Cricket Historian Vasant Raiji
His shot selection is superb, he just lines you up and can make you look very silly. Everything is right in his technique and judgment. There isn't a fault there. He is also a lovely guy, and over the years I’ve enjoyed some interesting chats with him.
Allan Donald
First and foremost, Tendulkar is an entertainer and that for me is as important factor as any fact or figure. Too often boring players have been pushed forward as great by figures alone. For sheer entertainment, he will keep cricket alive.
Barry Richards
Sachin is a genius. I’m a mere mortal.
Brian Lara
The thing I admire most about this man is his poise. The way he moves, elegantly without ever looking out of place in any condition or company, suggests his pedigree.
Bishan Singh Bedi
Why I've always liked him is that batsmen tend to be negative at times and I think batting is not about not getting out – it is to play positively. I think you got to take it to the bowlers and Sachin is one such player. When you do so, you change the game, you change bowlers because they suddenly start bowling badly because they are under pressure.
Graeme Pollock
Sachin is an attacker. He has much more power than Sunny. He wants to bet he one to set the pace. He has to be on top. That's the buzz about him.
Jeff Thomson
The more I see him, the more I want to see him.
Mohammad Azharuddin
Playing in the same team as Sachin is a huge honour. His balance of mind, shrewd judgment, modesty and, above all, his technical brilliance make him my all-time hero... You can't get a more complete cricketer than Sachin. He has everything that a cricketer needs to have.
Rahul Dravid
By far the best I have seen or played against.
Allan Donald
His stroke off the backfoot, particularly off the pace bowler, is extraordinary – the next thing you know is that someone is picking the ball up from the gutter.
Richie Benaud
The thing I like the most about Sachin is his intensity. After being in the game for so long, he still has the same desire to do well for India in any international match. I tell you what, this man is a legend.
Sourav Ganguly
I have never seen Bradman but heard people talk about him. But I tell you what, if Bradman could bat like this man does then he was dynamite. Players like Sachin deserve to be preserved in cotton wool.
Viv Richards
To me he is the complete batsman. What has impressed me most about him in his focus and determination to do well. I think the youngsters can learn a lot form just watching him play and emulating his determination. Despite being so immensely gifted, he is still so determined to excel every time he goes out to bat for his country, it is something I have always respected.
Wasim Akram
Sir Donald Bradman
In terms of technique and compactness, Tendulkar is the best.
Desmond Haynes
I have watched a lot of Tendulkar and we have spoken to each other a lot. He has it in him to be among the very best.
Sir Garfield Sobers
He is 99.5 per cent perfect. I'd pay to see him.
Viv Richards
Technically he stands out as the best because of his ability to increase the pace at will.
David Boon
There is no shame being beaten by such a great player, Sachin is perhaps only next to the Don.
Steve Waugh
Sachin is cricket’s god.
Barry Richards
India's fortune will depend on how many runs the little champion scores. There is no doubt Tendulkar is the real thing.
Sunil Gavaskar
A complete batsman — he's the best in the business.
Mohinder Amarnath
Sachin is an attacker. He has much more power than Sunny. He wants to be the one to set the pace. He has to be on top. That's the buzz about him.
Jeff Thompson
If I've to bowl to Sachin, I'll bowl with my helmet on. He hits the ball so hard.
Dennis Lillee
You take Don Bradman away and he is next up I reckon.
Steve Waugh
Don't bowl him bad balls, he hits the good ones for fours.
Michael Kasprowicz
Hell, if he had stayed, even at 11 an over he would have got it.
Allan Border (after India won the Coca-Cola cup in Sharjah)
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.
Greg Chappell
I'd like to see him go out and bat one day with a stump. I tell you he'd do okay.
Greg Chappell
He's a phenomenon. We have to be switched on when he plays allow him no boundries, for then he doesn't stop.
Mark Taylor
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.
Ian Healy
He has defined cricket in his fabulous, impeccable manner. He is to batting what Shane Warne is to bowling.
Richie Benaud
He's better than Ben Hur.
Paul Wilson
I still think Tendulkar is the best batsmen in the world, ahead of Steve Waugh and Lara.
Glenn McGrath
There's no doubt about it. He is the best.
Tony Grieg
Technically, you can't fault Sachin. Seam or spin, fast or slow – nothing is a problem.
Geoffrey Boycott
Sometime back I had written a piece that said that Sachin's the master and Lara a genius with his head high up somewhere. That's it.
Peter Roebuck
A little genius. Reminds me of Sunny Gavaskar.
Keith Fletcher
He is Sachin Tendulkar. I hope he stays Sachin Tendulkar. We need a new player, a player in his own way. He has a technique which is the hallmark of a great player. Everything indicates that he will be a great player and I am sure he will prove me right. Reminds me of Barry Richards.
Eddie Barlow
Destined to be a great.
Barry Richards
What we (Zimbabwe) need is 10 Tendulkars.
Paul Strang
Cricketers like Sachin come once in a lifetime and I am privileged he played in my time.
Wasim Akram
While I keep hoping he gets out, I must admit that his stroke play is a treat to watch.
Mark Waugh
I have seen God. He bats at number 4 for India.
Mathew Hayden
You have to watch India in India truly to appreciate the pressure that Sachin Tendulkar is under every time he bats. Outside grounds, people wait until he goes in before paying to enter. They seem to want a wicket to fall even though it is their own side that will suffer.
Shane Warne
Much has been made of my personal contest with Tendulkar. Some people have said that my duel with Tendulkar in India in 1997-98 was the most compelling Test cricket they have ever seen, but there is no doubt he enjoyed the better of the exchanges. He has played me better than anybody. Most Indian batsmen pick the length very quickly, even when it is flighted above the eyeline, but Tendulkar moved into position even earlier than the likes of Mohammad Azharuddin and Rahul Dravid. His footwork is immaculate. He would either go right forward or all the way back and he has the confidence to go for his strokes. I suppose I would be confident too if I batted as well as Tendulkar.
Shane Warne
You have to decide for yourself whether you're bowling well or not. He's going to hit you for fours and sixes anyway. Kasprowicz has a superior story. During the Bangalore Test, frustrated, he went to Dennis Lillee and asked, 'Mate, do you see any weaknesses?' Lillee replied, 'No Michael, as long as you walk off with your pride, that's all you can do.
Shane Warne
When it comes to judging the best among these fabulous band of batsmen, my vote goes to Tendulkar. He has an uncanny ability to come out on top under different circumstances and under different conditions, whether it is Test cricket or one-day internationals. And more importantly, he has done this so young.
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.
Shane Warne
I have always felt C. K. Nayadu was the best. I now think Sachin has the honour of being the most outstanding batsman of all time.
Cricket Historian Vasant Raiji
His shot selection is superb, he just lines you up and can make you look very silly. Everything is right in his technique and judgment. There isn't a fault there. He is also a lovely guy, and over the years I’ve enjoyed some interesting chats with him.
Allan Donald
First and foremost, Tendulkar is an entertainer and that for me is as important factor as any fact or figure. Too often boring players have been pushed forward as great by figures alone. For sheer entertainment, he will keep cricket alive.
Barry Richards
Sachin is a genius. I’m a mere mortal.
Brian Lara
The thing I admire most about this man is his poise. The way he moves, elegantly without ever looking out of place in any condition or company, suggests his pedigree.
Bishan Singh Bedi
Why I've always liked him is that batsmen tend to be negative at times and I think batting is not about not getting out – it is to play positively. I think you got to take it to the bowlers and Sachin is one such player. When you do so, you change the game, you change bowlers because they suddenly start bowling badly because they are under pressure.
Graeme Pollock
Sachin is an attacker. He has much more power than Sunny. He wants to bet he one to set the pace. He has to be on top. That's the buzz about him.
Jeff Thomson
The more I see him, the more I want to see him.
Mohammad Azharuddin
Playing in the same team as Sachin is a huge honour. His balance of mind, shrewd judgment, modesty and, above all, his technical brilliance make him my all-time hero... You can't get a more complete cricketer than Sachin. He has everything that a cricketer needs to have.
Rahul Dravid
By far the best I have seen or played against.
Allan Donald
His stroke off the backfoot, particularly off the pace bowler, is extraordinary – the next thing you know is that someone is picking the ball up from the gutter.
Richie Benaud
The thing I like the most about Sachin is his intensity. After being in the game for so long, he still has the same desire to do well for India in any international match. I tell you what, this man is a legend.
Sourav Ganguly
I have never seen Bradman but heard people talk about him. But I tell you what, if Bradman could bat like this man does then he was dynamite. Players like Sachin deserve to be preserved in cotton wool.
Viv Richards
To me he is the complete batsman. What has impressed me most about him in his focus and determination to do well. I think the youngsters can learn a lot form just watching him play and emulating his determination. Despite being so immensely gifted, he is still so determined to excel every time he goes out to bat for his country, it is something I have always respected.
Wasim Akram
MILESTONES BY SACHIN
1988
As a schoolboy scores a century in every innings he plays, including a then record partnership for a Lord Harris Shiled inter-school match of 664 with his friend Vinod Kambli.
On December 11 (aged 15 years and 232 days) makes 100 not out on his first-class debut for Mumbai against Gujarat, the youngest player to score a century on his first-class debut.
1989
Becomes the youngest player to play at Test level for India, at just 16 years and 205 days. It was against Pakistan in Karachi.
1990
Becomes the second youngest player to score a Test century when he hits a match-saving 119 on India’s tour of England at the age of 17 years and 112 days. He finished the series with an average of 61.25.
1991
Becomes the youngest player to score a century on Australian soil with a mammoth 148 in Sydney.He followed it up with a ton at Perth, a century which he ranks as one of his best ever.
1992
Sachin is the first batsman to be declared run out by a third umpire against South Africa.
At 19 he becomes the youngest player to score 1,000 test runs, during India's tour of South Africa.
Becomes first overseas-born player to represent Yorkshire in the English County Championship. He scores 1,070 runs in 16 matches.
1993
Scores his first Test century at home, in Madras, hitting 24 fours and a six in his 165 during a thrashing of England.With South Africa needing just six to win off the final over in the Hero Cup semi-final, his bowling comes to the fore as he concedes only 3 runs, giving India victory.
1994
Opens an ODI innings for the first time, scoring 82 off 49 balls.
Scores his first One-Day century on September 9 against Australia in Colombo, Sri Lanka.
Receives Arjuna Award for achievements in cricket.
1995
Signs a then record sports management deal with Worldtel for 30 crore rupees over 5 years.
Rated the No.1 batsman in the world by the prestigious Coopers and Lybrands ratings.
1996
Is the leading run scorer at the World Cup, topping the batting averages (with 87.16) while scoring two centuries.
Appointed captain of Indian cricket team.
1997
Wisden Cricketer of the Year.
Receives India’s highest sporting honour, the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna.
1998
Wins the Coopers and Lybrand Award for best Test Cricketer of the Year.
Scores centuries in three consecutive Tests against the touring Australians; two further centuries and a fifty give India a 2-1 Test series win.
Single-handedly wins ICC quarter-final against Australia by scoring 141 in 128 balls and taking 4 Australian wickets.
Involved in a world record opening stand with Sourav Ganguly of 252 runs off 44 overs.
Becomes the fifth player in ODI history to score 7,000 runs.
Meets Sir Donald Bradman in Adelaide on the occasion of the Australian batsman’s 90th birthday celebrations. Bradman considers Tendulkar to be the best batsman in the world.
Breaks the record for ODI centuries by scoring his 18th (127 not out) against Zimbabwe on September 26.
Chosen as the Castrol Indian Cricketer of the Year Award.
Tops Amul Cricket Rankings.
1999
Receives Padma Shri, India’s civilian medal of recognition.
Makes highest score by an Indian in ODIs – 186 not out against New Zealand at Hyderabad.
Passes 5,000 runs in Test cricket during the First Test of the Asian Test Championship.
It’s his 67th Test and his average of 53.19 includes 18 centuries and 20 fifties.
Scores his 19th Test century and 23rd ODI hundred.
Replaces Azharuddin for his second stint as captain of India.
Scores his first test double century (217 against New Zealand).
2000
Scores his 25th ODI century and passes 9,000 runs in ODIs.
2001
Becomes the first batsman in the history of limited overs cricket to score 10,000 runs.
Equals Sir Donald Bradman’s record of 29 Test centuries when he scores 117 against the West Indies at the Port of Spain, Trinidad.
2002
On September 5, becomes the youngest player from any country to play in 100 Tests.
2003
Is the highest run scorer at the 2003 Cricket World Cup with 673 runs at an average of 61.18; he also wins the Player of the Tournament award.
In August he is voted the Greatest Sportsman of the Country in the sport personalities category in the Best of India poll conducted by Zee News.
While playing against Pakistan in the group match during 2003 World Cup, scores his 12,000th ODI run. No other player has scored more than 10,000 runs till date.
2004
Hits an unbeaten 241 in the Fourth Test against Australia in Sydney, his highest first-class score. Puts on 353 for the fourth wicket with V V S Laxman as India draw the Test series 1-1.
Wins the ICC World ODI XI.
Problems with tennis elbow surface causing him to miss the Champions Trophy and the first two Tests of the home series against Australia.
2005
Completes 13,000 runs in ODIs during the second one-dayer against Pakistan in Rawalpindi.
Equals Sunil Gavaskar’s record of 34 tons in Test matches; by the end of the year he has broken it with a 109 against Sri Lanka in Delhi.
Becomes only the third player in history, after Gary Kirsten and Steve Waugh, to score centuries against all Test-playing nations.
Has elbow surgery which keeps him out for four months; scores 93 off 96 balls against Sri Lanka on his return.
Becomes fifth batsman in Test history to score 10,000 runs, during the second Test against Pakistan.
Equals former Pakistan all-rounder Wasim Akram’s record for ODI appearances by playing in his 356th match.
2006
Signs a contract with Saatchi and Saatchi’s Iconix, valued at 180 crores over 3 years, making him the highest-earning cricketer in the world.
Time magazine names him as one of their ‘Asian Heroes’.
Named Sports person of the Year.
Scoeres his 39th ODI hundred, in a match against Pakistan.
Plays his 132nd Test, the most by any Indian ever, at his home ground in Mumbai.
Goes to England for surgery on his right shoulder and misses one-dayers v England and Tour to West Indies.
Responds to questions about his longevity by scoring an unbeaten 141 off 148 balls in a DLF Cup match against the West Indies, giving him 18 more ODI tons than the players who are equal second on the list of ODI century-makers, Sourav Ganguly and Sanath Jayasuriya.
2007
Former Australian leg-spinner Shane Warne names him at Number 1 on his list of 50 greatest cricketers ever.
ICC World ODI XI award to Sachin.
Scored a 76-ball century against the West Indies for his 41st ODI century. He reached a hundred on the last ball of the Indian innings.
Becomes the first batsman to make 1,000 runs in a calendar year on seven separate occasions.
Dismissed seven times during the year on scores between 90 and 100, including three times at 99.
Is rested for the ODI series against Bangladesh but returns to score centuries in two consecutive Test matches.
Announces a joint venture with the Fortune Group and Manipal Group to launch healthcare and sports fitness products under the brand name ‘S Drive and Sach’.
A series of comic books by Virgin Comics is due to be published featuring him as a superhero.
2008
Receives the Padma Vibhushan, India’s second highest civilian award.
British Prime Minister Gordon Brown suggests Sachin should be conferred with an honorary knighthood for his contribution to international cricket.
Scores his first ODI century in Australia.
Becomes highest run-scorer in the history of Test cricket with 12,037.
He reaches this summit at 2.31pm on Friday, October 17 in Mohali when he steers debutant Peter Siddle to third man for three runs.
As a schoolboy scores a century in every innings he plays, including a then record partnership for a Lord Harris Shiled inter-school match of 664 with his friend Vinod Kambli.
On December 11 (aged 15 years and 232 days) makes 100 not out on his first-class debut for Mumbai against Gujarat, the youngest player to score a century on his first-class debut.
1989
Becomes the youngest player to play at Test level for India, at just 16 years and 205 days. It was against Pakistan in Karachi.
1990
Becomes the second youngest player to score a Test century when he hits a match-saving 119 on India’s tour of England at the age of 17 years and 112 days. He finished the series with an average of 61.25.
1991
Becomes the youngest player to score a century on Australian soil with a mammoth 148 in Sydney.He followed it up with a ton at Perth, a century which he ranks as one of his best ever.
1992
Sachin is the first batsman to be declared run out by a third umpire against South Africa.
At 19 he becomes the youngest player to score 1,000 test runs, during India's tour of South Africa.
Becomes first overseas-born player to represent Yorkshire in the English County Championship. He scores 1,070 runs in 16 matches.
1993
Scores his first Test century at home, in Madras, hitting 24 fours and a six in his 165 during a thrashing of England.With South Africa needing just six to win off the final over in the Hero Cup semi-final, his bowling comes to the fore as he concedes only 3 runs, giving India victory.
1994
Opens an ODI innings for the first time, scoring 82 off 49 balls.
Scores his first One-Day century on September 9 against Australia in Colombo, Sri Lanka.
Receives Arjuna Award for achievements in cricket.
1995
Signs a then record sports management deal with Worldtel for 30 crore rupees over 5 years.
Rated the No.1 batsman in the world by the prestigious Coopers and Lybrands ratings.
1996
Is the leading run scorer at the World Cup, topping the batting averages (with 87.16) while scoring two centuries.
Appointed captain of Indian cricket team.
1997
Wisden Cricketer of the Year.
Receives India’s highest sporting honour, the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna.
1998
Wins the Coopers and Lybrand Award for best Test Cricketer of the Year.
Scores centuries in three consecutive Tests against the touring Australians; two further centuries and a fifty give India a 2-1 Test series win.
Single-handedly wins ICC quarter-final against Australia by scoring 141 in 128 balls and taking 4 Australian wickets.
Involved in a world record opening stand with Sourav Ganguly of 252 runs off 44 overs.
Becomes the fifth player in ODI history to score 7,000 runs.
Meets Sir Donald Bradman in Adelaide on the occasion of the Australian batsman’s 90th birthday celebrations. Bradman considers Tendulkar to be the best batsman in the world.
Breaks the record for ODI centuries by scoring his 18th (127 not out) against Zimbabwe on September 26.
Chosen as the Castrol Indian Cricketer of the Year Award.
Tops Amul Cricket Rankings.
1999
Receives Padma Shri, India’s civilian medal of recognition.
Makes highest score by an Indian in ODIs – 186 not out against New Zealand at Hyderabad.
Passes 5,000 runs in Test cricket during the First Test of the Asian Test Championship.
It’s his 67th Test and his average of 53.19 includes 18 centuries and 20 fifties.
Scores his 19th Test century and 23rd ODI hundred.
Replaces Azharuddin for his second stint as captain of India.
Scores his first test double century (217 against New Zealand).
2000
Scores his 25th ODI century and passes 9,000 runs in ODIs.
2001
Becomes the first batsman in the history of limited overs cricket to score 10,000 runs.
Equals Sir Donald Bradman’s record of 29 Test centuries when he scores 117 against the West Indies at the Port of Spain, Trinidad.
2002
On September 5, becomes the youngest player from any country to play in 100 Tests.
2003
Is the highest run scorer at the 2003 Cricket World Cup with 673 runs at an average of 61.18; he also wins the Player of the Tournament award.
In August he is voted the Greatest Sportsman of the Country in the sport personalities category in the Best of India poll conducted by Zee News.
While playing against Pakistan in the group match during 2003 World Cup, scores his 12,000th ODI run. No other player has scored more than 10,000 runs till date.
2004
Hits an unbeaten 241 in the Fourth Test against Australia in Sydney, his highest first-class score. Puts on 353 for the fourth wicket with V V S Laxman as India draw the Test series 1-1.
Wins the ICC World ODI XI.
Problems with tennis elbow surface causing him to miss the Champions Trophy and the first two Tests of the home series against Australia.
2005
Completes 13,000 runs in ODIs during the second one-dayer against Pakistan in Rawalpindi.
Equals Sunil Gavaskar’s record of 34 tons in Test matches; by the end of the year he has broken it with a 109 against Sri Lanka in Delhi.
Becomes only the third player in history, after Gary Kirsten and Steve Waugh, to score centuries against all Test-playing nations.
Has elbow surgery which keeps him out for four months; scores 93 off 96 balls against Sri Lanka on his return.
Becomes fifth batsman in Test history to score 10,000 runs, during the second Test against Pakistan.
Equals former Pakistan all-rounder Wasim Akram’s record for ODI appearances by playing in his 356th match.
2006
Signs a contract with Saatchi and Saatchi’s Iconix, valued at 180 crores over 3 years, making him the highest-earning cricketer in the world.
Time magazine names him as one of their ‘Asian Heroes’.
Named Sports person of the Year.
Scoeres his 39th ODI hundred, in a match against Pakistan.
Plays his 132nd Test, the most by any Indian ever, at his home ground in Mumbai.
Goes to England for surgery on his right shoulder and misses one-dayers v England and Tour to West Indies.
Responds to questions about his longevity by scoring an unbeaten 141 off 148 balls in a DLF Cup match against the West Indies, giving him 18 more ODI tons than the players who are equal second on the list of ODI century-makers, Sourav Ganguly and Sanath Jayasuriya.
2007
Former Australian leg-spinner Shane Warne names him at Number 1 on his list of 50 greatest cricketers ever.
ICC World ODI XI award to Sachin.
Scored a 76-ball century against the West Indies for his 41st ODI century. He reached a hundred on the last ball of the Indian innings.
Becomes the first batsman to make 1,000 runs in a calendar year on seven separate occasions.
Dismissed seven times during the year on scores between 90 and 100, including three times at 99.
Is rested for the ODI series against Bangladesh but returns to score centuries in two consecutive Test matches.
Announces a joint venture with the Fortune Group and Manipal Group to launch healthcare and sports fitness products under the brand name ‘S Drive and Sach’.
A series of comic books by Virgin Comics is due to be published featuring him as a superhero.
2008
Receives the Padma Vibhushan, India’s second highest civilian award.
British Prime Minister Gordon Brown suggests Sachin should be conferred with an honorary knighthood for his contribution to international cricket.
Scores his first ODI century in Australia.
Becomes highest run-scorer in the history of Test cricket with 12,037.
He reaches this summit at 2.31pm on Friday, October 17 in Mohali when he steers debutant Peter Siddle to third man for three runs.
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