SabTIme to go
January 3rd 2007 10:46
Legendary Indian batsman Sachin Tendulkar badly needs to make a Test century, in the current Test in South Africa. Tendulkar currently holds the world record of 35 Test hundreds, but has only scored three hundreds in the last three years. In comparison Ricky Ponting scored seven hundreds last year, taking his tally to 33.
Throughout Tendulkar’s career, it has seemed likely he would break all batting records. The Indian maestro will probably be immortalised in the one day game, as he has made 40 hundreds and made over 14,000 runs- records which are likely to never be broken. But it seems likely that he will eventually, sooner rather than later, be eclipsed by the rampaging Ponting- who is currently clearly the best in the world. Ponting could conceivably make 50 test hundreds and score 15,000 runs. A few years ago it seemed likely Tendulkar would end with this kind of remarkable feat, but age and injury has wearied him.
Tendulkar still has the capacity to make runs in the batsman dominated one day format, but it has been in the 5 day arena where he has struggled. Perhaps he should take the lead from his great rivals- Shane Warne and Glenn McGrath, and leave the game with his legendary reputation intact. Tendulkar is 4 years younger than his Australian counterparts, but he began playing international cricket before them. It is perhaps forgotten that Tendulkar has carried the hopes of 1 billion people for 17 years. Despite only being 33 years old, perhaps Tendulkar has finally exhausted his physical and mental capabilities, which are required to succeed at Test match level.
Tendulkar has been acknowledged as the best batsman of his era, with the only rival being Brian Lara and in more recent times Ponting. However Lara has still been able to produce constant innings of brilliance, suggesting there are still a few hundreds left.
As sad as it would be, on the heels of the announcements of the retirements of Warne, McGrath, Justin Langer and Damien Martyn, perhaps it’s time for Tendulkar to end his illustrious career at the World Cup. A century in the final, leading India to their second World Cup victory would be the perfect send off for the little genius from Mumbai.
Throughout Tendulkar’s career, it has seemed likely he would break all batting records. The Indian maestro will probably be immortalised in the one day game, as he has made 40 hundreds and made over 14,000 runs- records which are likely to never be broken. But it seems likely that he will eventually, sooner rather than later, be eclipsed by the rampaging Ponting- who is currently clearly the best in the world. Ponting could conceivably make 50 test hundreds and score 15,000 runs. A few years ago it seemed likely Tendulkar would end with this kind of remarkable feat, but age and injury has wearied him.
Tendulkar still has the capacity to make runs in the batsman dominated one day format, but it has been in the 5 day arena where he has struggled. Perhaps he should take the lead from his great rivals- Shane Warne and Glenn McGrath, and leave the game with his legendary reputation intact. Tendulkar is 4 years younger than his Australian counterparts, but he began playing international cricket before them. It is perhaps forgotten that Tendulkar has carried the hopes of 1 billion people for 17 years. Despite only being 33 years old, perhaps Tendulkar has finally exhausted his physical and mental capabilities, which are required to succeed at Test match level.
(Little genius)
Tendulkar has been acknowledged as the best batsman of his era, with the only rival being Brian Lara and in more recent times Ponting. However Lara has still been able to produce constant innings of brilliance, suggesting there are still a few hundreds left.
As sad as it would be, on the heels of the announcements of the retirements of Warne, McGrath, Justin Langer and Damien Martyn, perhaps it’s time for Tendulkar to end his illustrious career at the World Cup. A century in the final, leading India to their second World Cup victory would be the perfect send off for the little genius from Mumbai.
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