Sachin Tendulkar- An Objective viewpoint of a fan

Let me state this precisely... I am big fan of Sachin. Of course, I have never had any formal cricket coaching or have never played any real cricket league (with Season ball), not represented school or college... But leaving modesty aside, I consider myself a deep student of the game... While playing in my locality, my coaches were Sachin and Dravid, many other international cricketers collectively and yes of course, my brain/heart. I am not boasting but I used to emulate my stance and defence on Dravid, my straight drive on Sachin (have executed many a times as well). There was a time when my brain was highly active and there was not a single day when I did not use to think about my game, or some match I might have seen. Believe me, I have won the 1999 WC match for India in the do-or-die situation against Australia. For whatever reasons, I will have to live my life with a tag a thinker and not a doer.. Hence my words might now carry much weightage... But, still need to put my perspective on Sachin Tendulkar.

For some Sachin is the epitome of batsmanship, god of cricket and put in all the superlatives possible. Believe me, I am the first one to say that he is certainly one of the most talented players in world cricket. When it comes to One Dayers, any alltime XI will be incomplete without him. But when it comes to Test Match (cricket in it's purest form and intent, where cricket skills, intelligence and character is stretched to its limit), Sachin is great but not really deserving of a secured place in All-time XI.

Lets try to put some perspective as to why. His fans first argument would obviously be the number of centuries i.e. 49. Taking out all the match situations, lets look at this on a pure number basis. Out of 49, India has won on 20 occassions. Again out of these 20 wins, 3 were against Bangladesh, 2 against Zimbabwe and 2 against Sri Lanka in 1993 and 1994 (when they were not really good). This means that his 49 centuries has resulted 11 wins against top quality sides of the era. Even if you require some further debate, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh can be considered as "Home" matches as the conditions are similar to back home in India. Not really made of GREAT stuff huh.

This time let me initiate the argument that he is a choker. His 136 while chasing 271 against Pak is supposed to be one of his greatest innings. I agree that he really played well there. But did he win it for us? The answer is NO. I don't care if he was having backaches. I believe that to be a champion, you need to be making great sacrifices. Even if that means, fighting it out to make that last extra effort of 20 runs and taking your team over the line. But Sachin chose to take the short cut and with slightest hint of flight, came down and holed out trying to hit the ball for a six. Saqi might have fooled in, but the truth is that he was himself beaten by his weak control over his mind. What I mean is, when the target is in sight, within hands reach, is when your mind really starts playing games. This is the time when it is the toughest to concentrate and control your mind. Sachin has always lost the plot here. Be it be while having to chase modest targets like 155 (V/s Aus in Chennai 2000) or 120 (against WI) or the most recent matches in Sri Lanka and in Mohali against Australia. This is further evidenced whenever he is approaching a milestone (especially the nervous nineties). His 175 (one of his best ODI Innings, I love it) against Aus in Hyd also substantiates this, he got out for a stupid shot when India was so close to victory. His 93 or 96 against Pak in 2003 WC, almost taking us to victory but then Dravid and Yuvraj played sensibly to finish it.

His fans might say that India normally lets him down. I do not agree to that. Post 1996, Sachin has had a great advantage of batting with Dravid, Ganguly, Laxman and Sehwag. When India won it's first Test Match in Australia (in Adelaide), it was Dravid who had made 233 and followed it up with 70 odd runs (while chasing). In the same series down under, Sachin made 241 (hyped up as the innings without a cover drive) and 60 in the second innings only resulted in a Draw. Yes, you can argue that the bowlers did not do their job but the fact is the test match did not result into a Win. We had the same team and the same opponents. Thank goodness it was Dravid and not Sachin who was setting up the chase. Otherwise, it would have been another case of so near yet so far.

Now let me put up the argument. Sourav Ganguly, Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman has opened the innings and also come in positions of #3, #4 (when Sachin was injured/rested), #5 and #6. Sachin has always played at #4. The argument is you always have the best batsman at #4. The reasoning is because opening debacles are not anticipated and there is always #3 (who has a difficult job of blocking his end if the ball is moving around or build on the good start given by the openers) to take the shine of the ball giving your best batsman the best chance of making it good (in Sachin's case, the most). No matter what the match situation (except for a nightwatchman) or what his personal form was, Sachin has never stepped down from his favourite position. Even I was surprised when I read in Cricinfo that Sourav averages about 66 @ that position of #4 amassing about 1000 runs. Who knows what could have been. Maybe that amazing 264 run chase on the 4th day pitch when Dada made 98 coming at #4 as Sachin was rested/injured (Dravid contributing 78) against Sri Lanka (with a threat of a certain Murali) in Kandy would not have been just a one-off. From a personal point of view, #1, #2, #3 and #6 are the most challeging positions to bat. The former because having to face fresh bowlers on a fresh pitch (with no real idea how the pitch will behave) and #6 as there is always many occassion when you will have to manouvre the tail.

"Greatness" is a word not to be used very loosely and "greatest" is word which should be used miserly. Sachin is great but not god or the greatest. Sachin cannot even be compared to Gavaskar as the latter played without a helmet and always played for a win and only when it is not possible played to not lose. Gavaskar's 38 centuries means more to India than Sachin's 49 centuries. Gavaskar never had the likes of laxmans, dravids or even a ganguly. He just had an inconsistent Vishy and M Amarnath. Moreover, Gavaskar opened the innings (without a helmet) against the fastest bowling line-ups (WI, AU, ENG) and was not being shielded at #4. Gavaskar had the nerve to set up the match, try and win the now famous 403 run chase against the mighty WI. Sachin does not have any story like that. I keep stressing on the helmet. Why? Just remember, that Sachin was hit on his face while facing Waqar in his debut innings and after that he is never seen without a helmet (not even while facing spinners). The gradual fans and his admirers can say that it is a protective gear but the more you think and analyse it gives the batsman an advantage. I am not going to stress on it any longer.

So my dear friends, enjoy Sachin's batting as long as it lasts. It has given everyone (including yours truly) a lot of smiles. But don't insult the likes of Gavaskar by stating Sachin is greater than him. Just try to answer this: If Gavaskar was not there, will there ever be a Tendulkar?. That is what Gavaskar's impact on Indian cricket is. But don't insult the likes of Dravid, VVS and Ganguly by saying Sachin is a god and the cornerstone of Indian Cricket. Sachin was there in the 1990's as well as the 2000's. But India started winning ODI' s consistently in late 90's and Test matches abroad post 2000 when we had the above-mentioned batsmen establishing themselves in the team. Also, a closer observation of Sachin's big scores will reveal a pattern of contributions from one of the above or Sehwag as well. That is the truth. Sachin pales in comparison to Lara who scored 430 runs against the Strong Australian team. Sachin just does not have a story like. To be greatest, you need to have such against all odds stories. I am not saying he should do it every year. But atleast 1! Maybe, I am asking for too much.

All I want to state is that Sachin is a great batsman, showcases amazing humility but Test-match impact and playing in pressure situations has never been his forte. And Test Match cricket is not all about the god-given talent but sop much more about mental strength, tactics and intelligence. In this regards Sachin falls just (only just) short of greatness. His averages and mass of runs might hide this, but look deeper and you will see.

Thanks. I know I have been saying this but this is my last post on cricket. I know that Sachin fans will not agree. It is fine. I just wanted to put this perspective out there among all the hype around Sachin.