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NEW DELHI. — India’s Sachin Tendulkar, who plays his 200th and final Test cricket from today, was widely regarded by his cricketing peers as the greatest batsman since the Australian legend Donald Bradman.
Here is a selection of quotes on the man dubbed the “Little Master”:
Donald Bradman: “I saw him playing on the television and I was very, very struck by his technique.
“I asked my wife to come and have a look at him. Because, I said, I never saw myself play, but I feel that this feller is playing much the same as I used to play . . . It was just his compactness, his stroke production, his technique, it all seemed to gel as far as I was concerned.”
Australian spin legend Shane Warne: “Sachin Tendulkar is, in my time, the best player without a doubt – daylight second, Brian Lara third.”
West Indies great Viv Richards: “He has been a genius when it comes to ability, a Trojan when it comes to work ethic and manic when it comes to his focus.”
Former team-mate Rahul Dravid: “What he has done is set a benchmark for future generations which, probably, would be almost impossible for anyone to emulate.”
West Indies contemporary Brian Lara: “Sachin is a genius. I’m a mere mortal.
“When I speak about cricket, I will speak about Tendulkar. Just like you mention Muhammad Ali when you mention boxing and Michael Jordan when it comes to basketball.”
Anil Kumble, who holds the record for most Test wickets for India: “I am fortunate that I’ve to bowl at him only in the nets.” Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni: “His schoolboy-like enthusiasm for the game is something I envy and admire. For the team he is the best available coaching manual.” – AFP.
Online Reporter