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Sunday, February 28, 2010

What they said about Sachin's innings

by Saurabh Somani

The ability of one man to bring so much joy and unite the most diverse country on earth leaves people with different reactions. Some have gushed that they can now die happy, some have wept tears of joy, some have re-iterated the fact that there is only one God that they worship. To the last, I'd like to say Sachin Tendulkar is not god.

He is not god, because there is ample scope to question the existence of a god, but there is no scope to question the godliness of Tendulkar's feats. No sir, he is far beyond mere godhead.

He continuously pushes the boundaries of what we can allow ourselves to expect of him. And then goes out and achieves something even bigger.

After yesterday's knock, praises came pouring in thick and fast for Sachin - from players, ex-players, administrators, team-mates and fans alike. Here is a list of who said what:

"There is just no question about that. He is the greatest batsman the game has ever seen. See his record! Who else has got 90-plus centuries, 17000-plus runs in ODIs and 13000-plus runs in Test cricket? He is comfortably the greatest batsman ever." - Sunil Gavaskar.

"Yes, yes, yes! Well done Sachin my friend. Congrats and well done! (It's) awesome." - Shane Warne.

"I thought the way he celebrated when he reached his 200 epitomised the man's persona. There was no running laps around the field, no aggressive gestures, nothing over-the-top. He did what he always does, raised both his arms, closed his eyes for a moment and quietly acknowledged that it had been done." - Anil Kumble.

"Sachin - the greatest ever player ever - without any doubt... I salute Sachin... World's greatest sportsman. We can see him only rise. (He is an) inspiration to us all. He is the best." - Lalit Modi

"He is my favourite player. I had said that one day he would go on to break all batting records and now you see him scoring runs and runs." - Javed Miandad.

"For any cricketer he is the perfect role model. The great thing about him is that he has been outstanding in both Tests and ODIs. As a Pakistani player, I know how much value we have always put on his wicket." - Shoaib Malik.

"I think if you ask Saeed Anwar, he would say he's happy that Tendulkar broke his record. The reason for his success is that he has a great respect for the game." - Aamir Sohail.

"Whatever record is seen to be impossible to achieve, he makes it possible. That's all I can say." - Bapu Nadkarni.

"All kneel down and praise whatever god you fancy for the mighty Sachin Tendulkar. This could just be turning into the greatest year of his international career, more than 20 years after it began." - The Times, London.

"I have never liked comparisons between great players, but after Wednesday's incredible game it must be said: Sachin Tendulkar is the greatest batsman of all time. Better than Brian Lara and Ricky Ponting, the other two great players of my era. Better than Sir Viv Richards, Sunil Gavaskar and Allan Border. And I would even say better than Sir Don Bradman himself." - Nasser Hussain.

"His record speaks for itself. He's probably the greatest batsman I've ever watched or played with in my whole life." - Michael Clarke.

"Tendulkar amazing actually bigger then amazing the guy is a genius what a innings .. Well done to him not a easy attack either." - Damien Martyn.

"Sachin Paaji..I remember ad where that little kid is playing with the car and his father tells him: 'Stop playing now' and the kid replies...'What can I do papa, the petrol never finishes in the car!' hahaha..." - Yuvraj Singh.

"Tendulkar is sincerity personified. He has made sacrifices in his life, there is a lot of dedication involved and he is very passionate about achieving something." - Kapil Dev

"I have not seen Bradman playing cricket. I have played with Sachin and he is a great batsman and I have not seen a player like him. Sachin is a phenomenon and a great cricketer." - Sourav Ganguly

Sachin 200 - Highlights

Sachin Tendulkar 200* (World record) Highlights vs SA

Sachin greatest, happy he broke record: Anwar

Describing Sachin Tendulkar as the greatest batsman of the modern era, former Pakistan captain Saeed Anwar hailed the Indian maestro for breaking his ODI batting record and becoming the only player to smash a double century in the limited-overs cricket.

Anwar told PTI he was not surprised that Tendulkar had broken his record of the highest individual score (194) in one-dayers when he scored 200 not out against South Africa at Gwalior on Wednesday.

"I am surprised that my record stood for 13 years because in this period there were a number of players like Brian Lara, Ricky Ponting, Shahid Afridi and Virender Sehwag who could have broken the record. But I think Tendulkar did it because he is the greatest of the modern era and a class apart," Anwar said.

"Honestly speaking Brian Lara seemed to me the most likely to break the record but he retired without doing it. However, he set his records in test and first class cricket," said Anwar who had made 194 against India in Chennai in May 1997.

"I am happy Tendulkar has done it because he is certainly the greatest batsman of the modern era. His feats speak for themselves," he added.

Anwar recalled how Tendulkar had congratulated him when he had scored 194 in the Independence Cup.

"I had just come back from an injury after four months and had little practice before playing in the Independence Cup in India. It was very hot and humid out there on that day and I consider it perhaps the best innings of my career," he said.

"Sachin was captain of Indian team in that tournament. He was the first person to come and congratulate me when I scored 194. Other Indian players also came and congratulated me. So I think it is only fair I pay him back the same compliment and congratulate him," he said.

Give him Bharat Ratna: Wadekar, Kapil, Vengsarkar

Describing Sachin Tendukar as the 'Kohinoor' of cricket, former captains Kapil Dev and Ajit Wadekar said he should be conferred the Bharat Ratna -- India's highest civilian award.

"Sachin is the Kohinoor diamond of the game of cricket. This cricketer has unmatched talent and you can't find another Tendulkar ever. I think, he should have got the Bharat Ratna," Wadekar told PTI Bhasha.

India's only World Cup winning captain, Kapil Dev, also supported Wadekar's view and said Tendulkar deserved the honour very much.

"Sachin has touched several milestones during his 20-year career in international cricket. He certainly deserves the Bharat Ratna. We will be very happy if he gets the highest honour of the country," Kapil said.

Kapil, though, said his views would be the same even if Tendulkar had not achieved the feat of scoring the first ODI double hundred.

"Even if Sachin would have got a duck in this innings, I would still say that he deserves the honour. No decision should be taken on the basis of a performance in one match, but I am keeping in mind his overall contribution," he said.

Another former captain and former selection committee chairman Dilip Vengsarkar echoed the same sentiment.

"If any player deserves the Bharat Ratna, it must be Tendulkar. He must get the award," he said.

Wadekar also hoped that Tendulkar would continue to play even after the 2011 World Cup, to be co-hosted by India Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.

"Sachin has proved with his fielding how fit still he is. I think, he can play for at least two more years after the World Cup next year."

Wadekar, who has also worked with Tendulkar as coach of the national team, supported the view of former England captain Nasser Hussain that Tendulkar was better than even Don Bradman, the iconic Australian batsman.

"I don't think any batsman can be better than Tendulkar, not even Bradman. Sachin has succeeded in all three forms of cricket -- Tests, one-dayers and Twenty20s," Wadekar said.

Sachin was simply unstoppable AB de Villiers

Two days after Sachin Tendulkar made history in Gwalior, South African batsman AB de Villiers said it was an "unbelievable" batting display and no bowler in the world could have stopped the iconic Indian.

Tendulkar became the first batsman in one day cricket's history to smash a double century in the match and his sublime unbeaten 200 off just 147 balls guided India to a series-clinching 153-run victory.

De Villiers, whose unbeaten 114 in the Gwalior match was reduced to a footnote, said Tendulkar was simply unstoppable.

"Sachin played an unbelievable knock...He didn't do much wrong in the last game. I don't think any bowler in the world could have tackled that," said de Villiers.

Over all, de Villiers said, bowling to Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag was a learning experience for the South African bowlers.

"When you are up against the likes of Sachin Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag, it puts a lot of pressure on you early on. The bowlers are quite young, so it is pretty tough for them coming out here and bowling to some of the best players in the world.

"I think the most important thing for our young bowlers is to learn and I think they did that. We had a nice team meeting yesterday and we discussed the game plan, where we went wrong and what we did right," he said.

India's back-to-back victories may have rendered tomorrow's tie inconsequential but de Villiers said the South Africans were desperate to prevent a whitewash.

"It's not really a dead game for us. We have got a lot of pride to win back. We really want to win the last one-day international. 2-1 sounds a lot better than 3-0. We really want to fight and prove a point that we are a good side," said de Villiers.

He said there was nothing wrong with South Africa and it was actually India who had raised their game to clinch the ODI series with one match to spare.

"Not much went wrong. We still tried our best. Everyone is still in good form. I just think the Indians raised the bar and are playing better cricket. We are lacking in a few areas," conceded the 26-year-old batsman.

De Villiers felt the younger players in his team had learnt a lot on the visit which should stand them in good stead for the 2011 World Cup.

"Obviously, it has been a great experience for a bunch of young guys. The youngsters have learnt a lot of lessons over here, including myself, I have learnt quite a bit," de Villiers said.

"The one-day series is a bit of a disappointment but as long as we learn from our mistakes, I cannot see us going wrong in the future. We got a few very talented young boys in the team and if they learn from their mistakes here in the sub-continent coming to the World Cup, I see a bright future for us," de Villiers predicted.

The elegant batsman said that it was all about confidence and momentum which at the moment the visitors were lacking while going into the final game of their tour.

"It obviously is a lot about confidence and momentum. Playing with confidence and momentum is pretty tough at the moment. So we want to finish on a high note out here, get some good memories behind us before we come back here for the World Cup," he said.

"We have got a lot of cricket before then, so we got lots of time to get some confidence behind us and build some nice spirit in the team. Like I said, the one-day team is pretty young. We will definitely get things right.

"(Coach) Corrie (van Zyl) and the management team have been working very hard, taking notes about where we went wrong. Most importantly, we would like to finish on a high tomorrow and show exactly what we are capable of," he elaborated.

The batsman said he had lot of good memories of this venue having done well not only in the Test on his last visit here but also in the Champions Trophy in 2006.

Tendulkar jumps to 3rd spot in ODI rankings

Sachin Tendulkar jumped three places to third in the ICC ODI batsmen rankings after his record-breaking double-century against South Africa while India are almost assured of USD 75,000 for ending the calendar year at the number two position in the championship table.

Tendulkar (766 points), who returned undefeated on 200 in his 442nd ODI appearance, now trails second-placed Mike Hussey (809) of Australia by 43 points with Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni (827) strengthening his position at the top of the rankings after hitting a 35-ball 68 not out against South Africa in the second ODI.

It is Tendulkar's highest ranking in two years after he had reached second position following an unbeaten 117 against Australia in Sydney.

While Tendulkar has vaulted into third position, fellow opener Virender Sehwag has dropped one place to 10th position.

After missing a few matches, Yuvraj Singh and Gautam Gambhir also slipped one and two places respectively to be at 13th and 21st. A player loses one per cent of his ratings points for every match missed.

In the bowlers list headed by New Zealand captain Daniel Vettori, Harbhajan Singh is the only Indian in the top 20 and the off-spinner retained his place at fifth.

In the Reliance Mobile ICC ODI Championship, India has all but cemented their second position after taking an unassailable 2-0 lead against South Africa. They are now on 123 ratings points while South Africa have slipped to 115 ratings points.

Sachin a 'batting god': Sri Lankan media






Much like their counterparts in other cricket-playing nations, the Sri Lankan media too bowed in appreciation for Sachin Tendulkar, lauding his historic and awe-inspiring double ton in the Gwalior ODI.

Calling him a "batting god", editorials lavished praise on Tendulkar who became the first batsman in the history of one-day cricket to score a double hundred.

"Sachin Tendulkar quenched the thirst of millions by his record breaking double century in ODIs," said a report.

The state-owned 'Daily News' devoted a voluminous article on the Indian and wrote, "It has been said and accepted that in India cricket is religion and Tendulkar god. And that belief came true when the batting god delivered in making the first double hundred in the history of one-day international cricket."

"At 36 years of age, he does not seem to have slowed. Like all great batsmen do, he first got his eye in, got a feel of how the wicket was playing, its bounce and movement and then began the batting show.

"A show that will stay etched in the memory of those fortunate to watch it live and listen on radio," the article said.

"He was a natural and a genius. Strokes come naturally to him and he is no slogger, but a batting maestro in the manner born," the newspaper added.

The newspaper said Tendulkar's stamina during the knock was laudable.

"He is 36 and like good wine seems to be mellowing with age. In this big innings he did not show any tiredness or cramps," the newspaper said in its article.

"He ran the singles and the twos like a teenager. We wish Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar many more years of runs full of cricket and may many more records dot his glistening career until he decides to call it a day," the article said.

Sachin's 200 - all the big moments.



By Ajit, Shashank and Mayank

Sachin Tendulkar's 200 was an once in a life time innings. So we are reliving the magic knock as we bring to you all his 25 fours, 3 sixes and some important milestones as we dig into our ball-by-ball commentary section. Sit back and have a treat.

Four No.1 - 1.3 Parnell to Tendulkar, FOUR!!, half volley outside off, Tendulkar opens the face of the bat and drives it to extra cover, beats the fielder and he's off the mark with a sensational boundary

Four No.2 - 1.4 Parnell to Tendulkar, FOUR!!, poor bowling this, fuller length delivery straying on the pads, Tendulkar closes the face of the bat and flicks it to deep mid wicket, consecutive boundaries for the little master

Four No.3 - 2.6 Steyn to Tendulkar, FOUR!!, he's looking in fine touch, fuller length delivery straying on the pads, Tendulkar flicks it to deep mid wicket, another boundary, the timing on that one was absolutely superb

Four No.4 - 4.3 Steyn to Tendulkar, FOUR!!, trifle short and Tendulkar is quick to pick that up, goes for the full blooded pull, picks the gap to perfection, between mid wicket and square leg for another boundary

Four No.5 - 6.2 Steyn to Tendulkar, FOUR!!, pitched up outside off, Tendulkar drives it on the up, clears the infield and the ball races away to the boundary square of the wicket on the off side

Four No.6 - 7.2 Parnell to Tendulkar, FOUR!!, that's a cracking shot!!! a lot fuller outside off, Tendulkar gets a long stride forward and drives it to sweeper cover, that went like a rocket, reached the boundary in no time

Four No.7 - 9.1 Parnell to Tendulkar, FOUR!!, fabulous shot!!! Parnell comes round the wicket, pitches it outside off, Tendulkar drives it on the off side, pierces the gap between point and cover, What an innings we are witnessing here!!

Four No.8 - 9.6 Parnell to Tendulkar, FOUR!!, Oh dear!! he's done it again, fuller length delivery outside off, Tendulkar squeezes it behind the fielder at point, the ball reached the boundary ropes before Steyn could get to it

Four No.9 - 11.4 Merwe to Tendulkar, FOUR!!, straying onto the pads once again, all he needed was a tickle past short fine leg, which he does, the fielder fumbles and the ball races away for him to get past his 94th ODI fifty

Four No.10 - 14.3 Langeveldt to Tendulkar, FOUR!!, that is as effortless as it can get. It was a length delivery on middle, he just helps it over mid on, once bounce into the fence, thank you very much he says

Four No.11 - 15.2 Merwe to Tendulkar, FOUR!!, tossed up on middle, he goes inside out over cover, gets the middle of the bat and a couple of bounces into the fence, terrific batting!

Four No.12 - 19.6 van der Merwe to Tendulkar, FOUR!!, he has made the last ball count, gets to the pitch of the ball and smokes it over cover, gets enough bat on that and the ball whistles into the boundary!

Four No.13 - 21.3 van der Merwe to Tendulkar, FOUR!!, tossed up delivery down the leg, Tendulkar closes the face of the bat and tickles it down to fine leg, that one had enough bat on it to reach the ropes

Hundredth run - 27.6 Duminy to Tendulkar, 1 run, there comes the run that was needed, Tendulkar gets to his 46th CENTURY!!, this is his 4th against SA, short and wide, Tendulkar cuts it to sweeper cover

Four No. 14 - 28.1 Kallis to Tendulkar, FOUR!!, back of a length delivery on off, Tendulkar swings his arm and whacks it over mid wicket, that went to the boundary like a rocket

Four No.15 - 28.3 Kallis to Tendulkar, FOUR!!, that's one of the best shots he has played today, they've all been good though, fuller length delivery bowler a lot slower, Tendulkar lofts it over the bowler's head, straight down the ground and another boundary to his tally

Six No.1 - 31.2 Duminy to Tendulkar, SIX!!, it was nicely tossed up, he gets to the pitch of the ball and smacks him over long on, high and handsome, sails into the crowd, goes a long way back and the crowd are on their feet

Four No.16 - 31.6 Duminy to Tendulkar, FOUR!!, that was smacked over the bowler's head with immense power, had he got a hand on it, probably he would have been blown away with the ball into the boundary, fantastic batting this, has been a treat so far!

Four No.17 - 34.2 Steyn to Tendulkar, FOUR!!, juicy full toss on the pads and he just helps it on its way wide of short fine leg, he knew exactly where the fielders were

Four No.18 - 34.5 Steyn to Tendulkar, FOUR!!, the work of a genuis out in the centre says LSRK. Wow! That was one hell of a stroke, gets across and fetches it towards deep mid wicket, not many can pull it off like that, into the boundary in a flash

Four No.19 - 35.5 Parnell to Tendulkar, FOUR!!, there is no stopping that, once that left the bat it was only heading to the boundary. Just backs away and picks up the length delivery over cover, awesome stuff!

Four No.20 - 36.4 Steyn to Tendulkar, FOUR!!, this is top class stuff, vintage Tendulkar! Fetches the ball from outside off and into the mid wicket boundary, what timing, can't get better than this

Four No.21 - 36.6 Steyn to Tendulkar, FOUR!!, there is no stopping him today, that has been dismissed into the boundary over point, no respect for the bowler what so ever!

Four No.22 - 37.3 Parnell to Tendulkar, FOUR!!, at this stage it doesn't matter who the bowler is, the ball is only destined one way and that is to the boundary. Picks the ball from outside off and flicks it superbly into the vacant spaces at deep mid wicket to get past his 150

Four No.23 - 38.1 Langeveldt to Tendulkar, FOUR!!, full and wide outside off, he reaches out, opens the face of the bat at the last moment, slides it in the gap between a ring of fielders on the off side, truly classy, exceptional shot, raced away to the fence!

Six No.2 - 40.6 Langeveldt to Tendulkar, SIX!! What a shot! Tendulkar fetches a full delivery from outside off and smashes it almost effortlessly over wide long on, superb timing!

Four No.24 - 41.5 van der Merwe to Tendulkar, FOUR!! Fine shot! Full delivery on the stumps, he clears the front leg and blasts that over the bowler's head, zoomed away into the fence

Six No.3 - 41.6 van der Merwe to Tendulkar, SIX!! Tendulkar's on a roll here! van der Merwe fired this one much quicker, Tendulkar got the front foot out of the way and just bludgeoned it through the line, clearing long off with ease!

Four No.25 - 42.6 Kallis to Tendulkar, FOUR!! Doesn't miss out on this full toss! Kallis slides onto the pads and Tendulkar rolls his wrists over it nicely, placing the ball behind square to equal his highest score

The big moment when he surpassed Saeed Anwar - 45.3 Parnell to Tendulkar, 2 runs, And there it is! Tendulkar has broken the record for the highest score in an ODI, clipping the ball off his toes to backward square, pushing hard for the second and completing it...Boucher pats him on the back for his achievement...the 200 beckons!

The Seminal moment in the history of ODI Cricket - 49.3 Langeveldt to Tendulkar, 1 run, Sachin's done it! A full and wide ball, he dabs it wide of point to complete his 200, becoming the first player ever to score a double ton in an ODI...what a magnificent player! No words are enough to describe this man..

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