Sachin Tendulkar - Don't believe the hype

From April 2011, Sachin has missed scoring his Hundredth century in as many times he has come out to bat. If Martians were to come and listen to the hullabulloo, then they would be wondering he must have scored 50+ runs in almost all the innings. But then, even if he gets out at 38, media would make it out like he just missed it. At the same time, there is another player by name of Rahul Dravid (a cricketer with substance) who has scored about 5 centuries (4 in England). As has been the case always, Sachin still hordes the media while Dravid (and another special gentleman i.e. VVS) goes about doing the job of batting.

It was pretty amusing to see Sachin stating that his Hundredth 100 is just a number. Really, then why the hell did you farm the strike from VVS in Kotla? Please also tell us what the hell where you thinking by refusing a single of the leg bye when VVS was half way down the pitch. Thank God, there is justice somewhere and you got out in the same over. That innings was typical of the way this so called legend and gentleman has approached his game.

Sachin's first 70 runs are for the team and the rest, for himself. People have accused Gavaskar of being selfish, but will never say anything about this fake god.

Sachin has been playing cricket from 1989. Please remind me of any impossible situation where he has put his hand up and taken the team through with his batting. Ok, there was that Sharjah of 1998. Then what? I still remember the 1996 WC S/F where the whole nation was let down by him in the most important match so far (and others too let the country down but then they were never called the best). Coming to think of it, the only time Sachin has really carried the team through in ODI (while chasing) was against Australia in 2008. Hmm, once in the so called 22 year legendary and godlike career. Not so, is it?

Where was Sachin when India needed 316 runs in Dhaka or Karachi? It was Dada who made a century and then Robin Singh carried us through. Where was Sachin when India needed 326 in Lords 2001? Ohh, that's right... he got out trying to play an inside out shot to the left arm spinner. Yeah, he was never happy playing in the No 4 spot. He never has gotten to the idea of batting where the team needs him the most. But as always, he will open in ODI and #4 in Tests. Where was Sachin when the team relied on him to stop the charge of the Aussies in 2001 in test matches? Oh yeah, VVS and Dravid made history. The point I am trying to make is that Indian cricket witnessed great change only when the real big three - Dada, Dravid and VVS started cementing their places.

Sachin is just a choker, playing to delight the statisticians. And hence, historical innings are played by Dravid, Sehwag and VVS. Infact, Ishant too did play a great 4th innings in Mohali along with VVS to win against Australia. Thank god, it was ishant and not Sachin. I would take Ishant anyday to bat alongside VVS while chasing 40-50 runs. Sachin's so called 200 runs in ODI was a pain to watch once he reached 180. Dhoni had to score for India and Sachin scored for himseld. Hence, it took him about 7-8 overs to reach 200.

Sachin's selfishness and hypocrisy has been out in the open for all the 22 years but no one ever writes about it. His disappointment at having been stranded at 194 against Pak in Multan was such a clear sign. Any team management with spine would have punished the player for telling the media that the team could have waited for 2-3 overs before declaring so that he can make his 200. Really, I mean, after giving about 1 hour of post tea session and being clear about needing to up the ante, you still need time. Dravid and Dada did the right thing of declaring and reminding him that the team comes first. But that is something that Sachin just does not believe in.

How many times have we seen Sachin opening in the Test matches or batting at any other position than 4? Then check the same thing about Dravid and Laxman? You will see who the real team players are and why they often come up with historical innings. Dravid's 32 out of 36 centuries have been for a winning cause. Add to that the 78 he made while chasing 270+ runs (in partnership with Dada who made 98) in kandy, 1999. Compare that to Sachin and see the shallow side of the USELESS 52 centuries. Most of them have been for draws which clearly shows that he makes most of those runs when the pitch has been more docile and batting was easier for both the sides.

Dravid also has finished up matches in ODI's in the second half of his career. Sachin made 93 runs in WC 2003 against Pak but as usual it needed Dravid and Yuvraj to strike a handsome partnership and FINISH the match. Sachin's 175 against Australia while chasing 365 in an ODI has gone to show on that he still has no idea how to finish the match. The stroke he played to get out (Dilscoop) shows that he just cannot handle the real match pressure when it reaches it tipping point.

Here are a few questions you all might want to ask to verify if Sachin is really the greatest batsman (and if he is really the most important wicket) for India:
1.) Whom would you have batting at the crease with 40-50 runs to win - VVS, Dravid or Sachin
2.) What was Sachin's contributions to the 2 greatest turning points of Indian cricket - Natwest 2001 and Eden 2001?
3.) When was the last time you saw Sachin selfless and fearless? He has always refused to open in Test matches or come in at that critical #3 position. He always pulled his weight around to ensure that he opens in ODI's and score more centuries although the team would have used his experience at #4.  Two hoots to what the team needs.
4) Lara and Viv batted the same way through out their careers and so did Gilchrist. Can you say the same about this man? Heck, he is incapable of that in 1 innings. Let him reach 80 and then see the difference.
5.) How many times have your heart been broken when you clearly see that a special innings is needed and Sachin just gets out? You will see that all of his hundreds have come when the match situation is not critical (not the stipulation) and there is not even 1 wonder innings like Dravid or VVS he has played in his so called 22 year career.

Sachin's contributions to Indian cricket has been pretty much as expected from a gifted batsman - A few wins  here and there, consistent scores (may or may not help the cause of the team) and as it has spanned for about 22 years with no threat to his place, it is little wonder that he has made all this number of centuries. I mean, who cares when you have a Dravid or a VVS to sacrifice their spots and face the music  upfront as and when required while this so called legend will wait for his number to come in and bat. Please someone show me atleast 1 wonder innings.. something unbelievable, against the wall kind of innings. But the choker has none. He can only bat when all things are hunky and dory and there is a settled batsman at the opposite end.

Look back and you will see that the Indian team has been carrying Sachin for the last 11 years. Sachin was there before 2000 and after that as well. Yet, the real heroes who did change the face of Indian cricket are - Dravid, Dada, VVS and to lesser extent, Kumble and Sehwag. Indian cricket is wherever it is because of the sacrifices that the above mentioned gentlemen has done keeping in mind to feed the ego of a teammate who wants to be remembered as nothing but a statistician's delight.