No one can argue that Sachin Tendulkar is one of the all-time great batsmen. He holds most records in Tests and ODIs and was a delight to watch with his artistic stroke-play.
However, Tendulkar being voted ESPNcricinfo’s Cricketer of the Generation by a 50-member international jury of current and past cricketers and eminent journalists and commentators yesterday may raise a few eyebrows.
Mind you, he was voted not just Batsman of the Generation but cricketer of the generation!
Firstly the term generation has to be defined. It means the 20 years from 1993 to 2013, which rules out Garry Sobers, Vivian Richards, Greg Chappell, Dennis Lillee, Jeff Thomson, Imran Khan, Sunil Gavaskar, Allan Border, Richard Hadlee, David Gower, Ian Botham, Michael Holding, the list goes on.
But what about equally iconic Shane Warne, arguably the greatest spinner ever? Jacques Kallis, on par with the legendary Sobers in all-round excellence? Brian Lara the master batsman, the classy Ricky Ponting, Muttiah Muralitharan, Glenn McGrath, Kumar Sangakkara, Adam Gilchrist and few others of this generation?
If I was on the panel, I would have debated with myself for hours and would have given my vote to Tendulkar.
Next to Sir Donald Bradman, he has been the most worshipped cricketer in the world. In these days of sledging and bribery, he remains among the few to keep his head and set an example for others to follow.
Enough has been written on Sachin; more than a dozen biographies with more in the pipeline. He sold more newspapers in India than politicians, rock singers and movie stars put together.
And that too without a scandal; one man, one wife despite his 100 international centuries.
His records at Test and ODI levels are known to most of his fans.
His farewell speech on 16 November last year after India won the Mumbai Test against the West Indies has become part of cricket folklore.
The purpose of this feature is not to regurgitate what knowledgeable readers of The Roar already know. Rather, it is to assess his legacy to cricket, starting with India.
In the past India was described as the “Dull dog of cricket” by the British press. That was the time when only Australia, South Africa and the West Indies were considered worthy opponents for England.
With batsmen Sunil Gavaskar, Dilip Vengsarkar and GR Viswanath, all-rounder Kapil Dev and spinners Bishan Bedi, EAS Prasanna and BS Chandrasekhar dominating, India made her presence felt, especially after winning the 1983 World Cup in England.
From “dull dogs”, India became “promising also-rans” with the West Indians and Australia fighting for the best cricket team title.
Then a Mumbai-born, curly-haired 16 year-old batsman entered the Test scene in 1989 and changed India’s image overseas.
Tendulkar hit his maiden Test century at Manchester against England in August 1990, aged 17. England’s notable author David Frith headlined his story “Hail the Boy King” and added, “How could anyone so young be so good at the highest level?”
After he received Man of the Match Award in this Test, Richie Benaud commented on TV, “We’ll see a lot more centuries from his bat. I hope I’ll be around to see them.”
Indeed, he was around in many of Tendulkar’s 51 Test hundreds.
Then followed his tour of Australia in 1991-92 when he hit magnificent centuries in the Sydney and Perth Tests.
After his Sydney masterpiece, Neil Harvey eulogised, “He is the best player I’ve seen since ages. I love the way he places the ball past fieldsmen and his back foot technique is superb.”
On a bouncing WACA pitch in Perth, Tendulkar hit a captivating 114. This made Allan Border rave, “If he can play like this at 19, I shudder to think what he will be at 25.”
Sir Donald Bradman was moved to tell his wife Jessie that Tendulkar batted more like him than any other batsmen he had watched.
Steve Waugh, not known to give an inch to his opponents, said: “You take Don Bradman away and Tendulkar is the next up, I reckon.”
When the legendary Dennis Lillee was asked as to how he would have bowled to Tendulkar, he replied tongue-in-cheek, “With a helmet on!”
No Indian, and not just an Indian cricketer, has received such acclaim down under. With Bradman, Sobers, Colin Cowdrey and Vic Trumper, he is the most adulated cricketer ever.
The boy prodigy became a living legend, lifting India on his shoulders, scoring more runs and centuries in Tests and ODIs than anyone in cricket history. Along with his advance as a batsman extraordinaire, he lifted India’s image in the cricket world.
The dull dogs became thoroughbreds, thanks mainly to Tendulkar’s presence.
I was lucky to see many of his centuries and double centuries, and also his cameo innings of 40s and 50s when India was on her knees. The way he attacked the great leg spinner Shane Warne was a master class in batsmanship.
His innings included classical cover drives, straight drives, on drives, hooks and pulls. A nudge from his heavy bat and the ball would race to the ropes.
The hallmark of his batting has been his ability to improvise and unleash unorthodox shots like the paddle sweep. This helped him register tall scores consistently, despite wear and tear of the muscles with age and constant pressure-cooker situations that mark international cricket.
For 21 years from 1990 to 2011 he ruled supreme. How he coped with his fans’ expectations, the constant cheering of “Sachiiiin, Sachin” every time he touched the ball or came out to bat will remain a mystery to me.
They expected a century from him in every match. It was like the titan Atlas holding the celestial sphere on his shoulder.
Tendulkar hammered runs and tons in every country. His happiest memory is when India won the World Cup in 2011.
Although he contributed significantly to India reaching the near top internationally, one must not forget his teammates: batsmen Rahul Dravid, VVS Laxman, Virender Sehwag, skipper-keeper MS Dhoni and spinners Anil Kumble and Harbhajan Singh.
However, they were inspired by Tendulkar.
It may be added that since the successful World Cup his form dipped, as he failed in England in 2011 and was not his masterly self in Australia in 2011-12.
However his 74 in his 200th and final Test appearance in Mumbai last November brought back memories of his heydays.
Gavaskar succinctly summed up Tendulkar’s contribution to the sport he has enriched: “It is hard to imagine any player in the history of the game combining classical technique with raw aggression like the little champion does.”
Add to it his modesty and subconscious charisma.
What about Sachin Tendulkar’s legacy to international cricket?
Major part of his tenure coincided with match-fixing, bribery and corruption by others ruining the game.
With his batsmanship, sportsmanship and demeanour home and away, he showed that cricket can be a gentleman’s sport.
At times he received wrong decisions but did not argue with the umpires. I never saw him lose his cool.
Elegant, determined and dedicated, he has set an example for others to emulate.
To me this will remain his legacy to cricket. Raise your bat, Sachiiin, Sachin!
Harish
Guest
Well, the first thing that comes in Indian players mouth is "teri maa ki" when swearing which translates into "your mother's". There is no way Bhajji with his high standards of bad words saying 'Monkey" which is childish. Both sounds similar and Symonds started weeping on the word his mind conjured up. Poor Symonds.
Kersi Meher-Homji
Guest
Bravo Zubes for bringing up this article's "century" with your positive comments. Perhaps with a "six" in cricket terminology? BTW, my son's name is Zubin and I often call him Zub! May I thank all Roarers for the interesting debate.
Zubes
Guest
I just thought it fitting that this article have a 100th comment. Just think, Sachin has scored a Test/ODI century for each one of the comments in this article! Amazing...
Zubes
Guest
Other people overheard what Lehmann said. What Harbhajan said is not clear and it becomes one players word against another. Its not fair to paint Tendulkar with the same brush as he wasn't involved. At most he is guilty of protecting his mate. Big deal.
Cadfael
Guest
You forgot to mention that Lehmann copped a deserved 5 match ban. What did Harbhajan get?
Zubes
Guest
I disagree bigbaz. Before his teens had finished Tendulkar had scored Test centuries all around the world + 100 centuries + the first 200 in ODIs + his last Test 100 was against Dale Steyn and Co in South Africa. Steyn was on fire but Sachin overcame him (last 2 achieved at the fag end of his career). Its not an accident that he is the most celebrated cricketer of our time. For me when it comes to batsmen (for this generation) its Tendulkar and Lara at the top and all the other greats one rung below.
Zubes
Guest
Its not all about average - especially as the number of games played increases. Tendulkar has played so many great ODI innings eg. the 2 sandstorm innings, 2003 WC versus Pak, 200 v SA, 175 V Aus ... the list goes on and on. Sangakkara and Kalis are great players but they've not played as many great ODI innings as Sachin. 49 centuries and a huge number of runs means he has played at a consistently high level for longer than anyone else. For me in ODIs its Sachin, then daylight, then the other greats of his generation.
bigbaz
Roar Guru
To be perfectly honest Kersi I don't really care who said what, I just know that if the shoe had been on the other foot someone would have been rubbed out. As far as Tendulkar is concerned I'd have him behind Kallis, who I'm absolutely sure, had he been Australian, Indian or English would have won this award in a canter. In my opinion the little master should have run 2nd behind the big master.
Ruminate
Roar Guru
Well put, it's a much better discussion when confined to the cricket prowess of greats such as Tendulker that we have been blessed to witness. In years to come, I know that I'll recall fondly the games that I saw him in.
Kersi Meher-Homji
Guest
Another Pom in Oz, I agree with you. The article was a tribute to one of the greatest batsmen. But this "monkeygate" episode was raised by some Roarers. All I want is to give my views on this ignorant media beat up. Your comments are very astute. Thank you.
Kersi Meher-Homji
Guest
Sorry, bigbaz, if my capital letters sounded like yelling. Also I did not say that Harbhajan said monkey or maki. I did not hear it, nor any one except perhaps 13 players and two umpires. The media made a mountain out of a mole hill; or a racial connotation out of a sledge.
bigbaz
Roar Guru
No need to yell.
Another Pom in Oz
Guest
The whole essence of this article was to pay homage to Tendulkar for his exemplary career as a professional cricketer. He never seldged anyone as far as I know and certainly never racially abused anyone, so I really can't understand what all the fuss is about. If his team mate said something to upset an opposition player what the hell has that got to do with Tendulkar? He should never have been dragged into it. If he stood up for his team mate then isn't that what any decent player would do? Isn't that the expectation of all Aussie players...to look after each other. Isn't that why Clarke arced up at Jimmy Anderson and Dale Steyn? All the allegations of racism are ridiculous. They're both black players for god's sake. Oh really, nobody realised that? IMO Maxwell reminds me of a monkey as he is very hairy. As does Sids for his banana eating exploits. Also, Ponting for his protuding ears. So what? The faux-offense stance taken by so many contributors is nauseating...
Kersi Meher-Homji
Guest
I do NOT know what Harbhajan said to Symonds. NOBODY KNOWS as there was NO video or audio evidence. It is the Australian cricketers' word against the Indian cricketers'. So AA, bigbaz, did you hear what was said in the middle? I did not nor the Aussie media. Why take one team's word and not the other team's? Isn't that racial discrimination, believing 10/11 who are white against 11/11 who are brown? IF Harbhajan did say monkey, it was not an endearing word but a sledge. But did he say that? Get your facts right. I am just trying to educate the majority of Aussie media to whom American and European terminology is all correct and Asian countries do not matter.To me that is racial slur. All I am trying to do is educate Australians who do not know what monkey stands for in India.
AA
Guest
Pretty sure it was a term of endearment kersi. Yeah now I'm convinced. What happened to the monkey v maki argument. I don't think it is treachery if you admit one of countryman is a disgrace. Here I was thinking harby was a bad man and now I found out he is thinks Symonds is cute. Coincidence after the monkey calls from the crowd in the previous tour that instigated the whole zero tolerance.
AA
Guest
Pretty sure it was a term of endearment
bigbaz
Roar Guru
So Kersi, your argument is that Symonds wasn't called a monkey he was called a maki, but if he was called a monkey it would have been as a term of endearment ? You got to have a fair leap of faith in all of this.
AA
Guest
Because harbajan did not say those words to Symonds as an endearing comment. Especially in context of the previous series in India when the crowd deliberately made monkey noises and signs to Symonds. Both teams were told.to take a no tolerance view. The Australians would not have complained otherwise. Pup is cute but they didn't call pup a monkey. Rubbish defense kersi complete rubbish. Don't take the India vs America logic. U don't for one minute think harby meant anything but a racist call yet you've gone from monkey sounds like maki to monkey is a nice thing to say
Kersi Meher-Homji
Guest
I have been saying it since the last three years and don't want to bore the readers. But these are facts. Coming from India, let me state that to call someone a monkey is not racial abuse. Yes, in America it is. But NOT in India. Monkey is an endearing word. Being the youngest in the family, I was called a monkey in a lovable way by my elder sisters and brothers. Also some communities in India worship monkey, Lord Hanuman. When doing my MSc on polio in a research institute in Mumbai, we used monkey kidneys to culture poliovirus in test tubes. When the followers of Lord Hanuman heard about it, they invaded our laboratory and stopped us killing monkeys to get their kidneys. So I repeat, monkey is NOT racial abuse but an endearing and respectful word. About time Australians know about it and not mistake India with America and other Western nations where to call someone a monkey IS a racial abuse. Also how can a brown cricketer calling a brown cricketer monkey or "maki" be called racial abuse?
Ruminate
Roar Guru
In aggregate yes, though his average of 44 hardly leaves Sangakkara's average of 40 in the dust. And then there is the matter that he was the second highest number of ODI dismissals by a keeper. And somewhat surprisinglyTendulkar's ODI average is actually slightly below Kallis too, albeit at a healthier strike rate. But then Kallis also took 273 wickets at an average of 31 and is ranked 17th of all time ODI wicket takers... Wasim Akram too is, I believe, under rated in this discussion, his record is quite amazing I don't subscribe to the Monkey gate staining claims that have been laid at Tendulkar's feet, I think that the sins committed there are for others to bear the responsibility for. Tendulkar was without doubt a remarkable cricketer, but I do not believe that he was indisputably the cricketer of his generation. On of the greats, for sure, but the records of others are too close or superior to his.