What Tendulkar denied to the world

Fifty and counting© Getty Images

For years, almost 21 now, writers have been obsessed with Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar, his scores, his chaiwala, his voice, groin, his humility and the joy he has given to millions people around the world. Maybe it is time someone talks about what Sachin denied to several people, unwittingly of course. It is my faithful and sincere attempt to capture some of those atrocities he committed.

To Rahul Dravid: The tag of the greatest Indian batsman of the 90’s and ‘00s, arguably forever. The poor man completed 12,000 runs the other day and is the third in the list of the all-time highest run-getters. Yet, not a word of mention anywhere!

To pretty Anjali, in her teens: The shallow pleasures of being courted by the neighbourhood boys.

To an entire generation of youth: Logic, as they steadfastly believed that India would win the match (every time), simply because he was out there, however ridiculous the odds. It is he who is solely responsible for deluding the whole of the young Indian male brigade, just like that Pathan called Shahrukh who misled the same populace into believing that any girl would fall for them as long as they had a shred of sincerity in their hearts.

To his colony: Any concept of privacy.

To writers who started out in the 2000s: Any original thought, since everything about him had already been written.

To anybody who ever happened to be the second wicket to fall for India: Applause from the crowd. Actually, they did applaud and cheer vociferously, but only because Sachin was walking in. Ask Dravid how it feels.

To Damien Fleming: Any feeling of succour, on his 28th birthday. Incidentally, it was Sachin’s birthday too, the 24th of April. The final of the ’98 Sharjah Cup, Sachin smote anything that came out of an Australian hand to the fence, as India chased down a formidable 272 to emerge champions.

To Coca Cola: A million drinkers. They really couldn’t take to that, when Sachin was drinking Pepsi, eh?

Famous Cricket Critic Lashes Out Sachin

It is nonsense to compare Bradman with Sachin. It is like comparing an apple to an onion because both are round and because both are red. There is no doubt that Bradman is head and shoulders above Sachin Tendulkar in any way you want to compare. In Bradman's times, they played on uncovered pitches whereas these days, the pitches are protected. Bradman did not wear a helmet but Sachin did. 

Some of the comparisons are given below:

Runs per Match: Bradman 135 Sachin 81
Runs per Innings: Bradman 100 Sachin 56
% of runs scored in the series played: Bradman 12.7 Sachin 7.9
Performance against weak teams:
Matches played against Bangladesh: Bradman 0 Sachin 5
Matches played against Zimbabwe: Bradman 0 Sachin 9

Triple centuries: Bradman 2 (and one 299 not out) Sachin 0.

Automated Computerised Batting Rating:
Bradman 1000 Sachin 598.

Now you know the answer. While Bradman is the all-time greatest test match player of the world, Sachin is not even the India's best because three other players (Gavaskar, Hazare and Dravid) are better than Tendulkar in the way they dominated the opposition attack. The batsmen who are better than Sachin are (IMO): Bradman, George Headley, Jack Hobbs, M E K Hussey, Brian Lara, Sangakkara, Len Hutton, R G Pollock, Wally Hammond, Francis Jackson, Peter May, Everton Weekes, Herbert Sutcliffe, Ken Barrington, Arthur Nourse, Andrew Flower, Mohammad Yousuf, Greg Chappell, Sunil Gavaskar, Neil Harvey, Jacques Kallis, Ricky Ponting, Kevin Pietersen, Arthur Shrewsbury, Javed Miandad, Mahela Jayawardene, D J McGlew, Gary Sobers, Vijay Hazare, Denis Compton, Bruce Mitchell, Geoff Boycott, Herbert Taylor and Rahul Dravid.

Sorry for being so frank but I give credit where due. How many times did Sachin save India from the brink ? You got to think. 

His 3 best performances till date are against Bangladesh (2004-05, 2 tests, 2 innings, 1 not out, 284 runs), Bangladesh (2006-2007, 2 tests, 3 innings, 1 not out, 254 runs) and New Zealand (1999-2000, 3 tests, 6 innings, 2 not out, 435 runs). Bradman's 3 best are against South Africa (1931-32, 5 matches, 5 innings, 1 not out, 806 runs), India (1947-48, 5 matches, 6 innings, 2 not out, 715 runs) and England (1930, 5 matches, 7 innings, 974 runs).

Yes, Sachin made more money than Bradman while playing Cricket. Sachin is more lucky than Bradman because every time he scores a fifty or a century especially on a dead pitch, the press sings all praises

Tendulkar is today's Bradman, says Brian Lara

The comparisons between Sachin Tendulkar and Don Bradman started almost as soon as the Indian batting genius hit the field as a precocious teenager.

Yet, as long as Brian Lara was on the field, there was always a nagging doubt, whether the great West Indian was somehow better. The tongues had really started wagging when Sachin suffered the tennis elbow injury and some had the temerity to question whether he deserved to retain his place in Team India.

However, now we are getting the news from the horse's mouth himself - Lara has said that Sachin is the Bradman of today.

While Lara may have bowed out from any comparisons involving himself he did however, put them (Sachin and Bradman) in different categories -to keep the fans guessing!

Saluting the longevity of Sachin Tendulkar, West Indies great Brian Lara has described the Indian batting legend as the 'Don Bradman' of modern era but refused to compare the icons of different eras.

Lara, himself a legendary left-handed batsman from the Caribbean, said what astonishes him the most about Tendulkar is his longevity.

"I don't think there is any race. Both are great players. Tendulkar has shown the world what he is capable of and his longevity in the game is something to be really appreciated," Lara said.

"The time he will spend in the game, records are going to tumble. The fact that someone can be there from the age of 16 and still at the age of 37 perform brilliantly is something that I cherish more than anything else," he said.

The West Indies player is of the opinion that Australian great Don Bradman, who ended his career with an incredible Test average of 99.96, and Tendulkar should not be compared as they played and flourished in different eras.

"He is our period's Don Bradman. Forget the difference in averages with Bradman but whoever I have spoken to who have seen very old players in action, they believe that he [Bradman] would not have averaged 99 in today's cricket.

"So I believe that Sachin is our period's Bradman," Lara, who visited Dubai for a jewelry brand endorsement, told Gulf News

Sachin Tendulkar bigger great than Don Bradman: Amitabh Bachchan

Sachin Tendulkar bigger great than Don Bradman: Amitabh Bachchan

Amitabh Bachan, the Bollywood superstar has expressed his anger over the media groups who have compared the Indian legendary batsman Sachin Tendulkar with Sir Don Bradman.

Expressing his delight on Sachin's 50th Test century, Amitabh said that for him, Sachin was a greater batsman than the Australian legend. The star actor wrote on his blog, “Why must there be a debate or even a discussion on whether Sachin is greater than Don Bradman or not? Sachin is greater, period! By bringing the topic for debate you are somewhere unsure whether he really is deserving of being great or not. And this is objectionable to me.”

Amitabh added, “How much more does one have to do to prove one’s credentials? And who are the media to concur who is great or not? We know he is. Matter over.”

Addressing the media groups, the Bollywood star requested them to not undermine the stature of the all time great legendry batsman by comparing him with others, instead, he insisted upon letting others to compare themselves to the Indian star.

Amitabh objected to the approach of his countrymen to compare themselves to the West as according to him, despite being richer, secure and advanced; West was still not superior to them by any means. The belief that best was always produced there and not in India was not justifiable to him.

Amitabh Bachchan also showed his concern over the media asking him about his ventures to Hollywood. To him, it was high time that India start taking pride in its own talent. He also lashed out at the approach of assuming that Hollywood was superior to Indian film industry and Oscars was superior to any of the award given by Indian industry. Despite being considerably advanced, West did not make the final destination for him.

Rather thought provokingly, he further wrote that when would Indians start taking pride in their own heroes without comparing them to others. Provided that self appreciating approach was developed, he stated, others will start looking towards India to develop their standards.

Sachin not greater than Bradman: Greg Chappell

It's been a while since Greg Chappell, who coached Team India from 2005 to 2007, commented on India's batting maestro Sachin Tendulkar.

Chappell, now a national selector in Australia, doffed his hat to the cricketing icon after he scored his 50th Test century against South Africa in Centurion. "Wonderful achievement," is how Chappell described the feat achieved last Sunday in the Sydney Morning Herald. He also said Tendulkar is a classic example of, "if you keep your mind fresh, you can play well into your 30s".

Chappell left as coach of the team on a sour note after the 2007 World Cup in the West Indies. The former batting great did not agree that Tendulkar was greater than Sir Donald Bradman in the big ongoing debate. 

"Bradman. No doubt," he said.  In a poll conducted by the newspaper on who's the greatest, Tendulkar got 67 per cent of the votes while Bradman secured 33 per cent. A total of 20768 cricket enthusiasts voted.

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Sachin Tendulkar vs Sir Donald Bradman

The former, often referred to as Little Master or Master Blaster, is Indian’s very own Sachin Tendulkar who is the highest run scorer in Tests as well as ODIs and record holder of the most centuries in either form; and the latter widely referred to as The Don is Australia’s sporting idol Sir Donald Bradman whose 20-year playing career records are no less than a benchmark for youngsters. Both legends, though from two completely different times, have so many similar traits that it’s only natural to draw comparison. Don Bradman, once while watching cricket on the TV, suddenly called out to his wife in excitement saying, "Look! There! The batsman on the television. Don't you think he reminds you of me?" No points for guessing, the batsman was Sachin Tendlukar. Much like Bradman was, Sachin is five feet six inches tall and dominates every kind of bowling attack with a similar ease. Yet, the only deserving way to truly assess Bradman vs Tendulkar is the comparison amid the many factors that made up their style of play. Both, Tendulkar and Bradman were more or less proportionately capable considering their unpredictable nature and their run-scoring methods, while Bradman’s strokeplay rises a bit above Tendulkar’s. Bradman’s run-scoring speed was unimaginable when he scored a whooping 452 in only 415 minutes. However, one can disagree stating that the over rates in the thirties and forties were much better than today’s. On a go-getter type of attitude, Tendulkar’s 24 Test hundreds before his 28th birthday is a considerable achievement. Yet again, Bradman made 10 Test double hundreds and 2 triple hundreds with a total 6 triple and 37 double hundreds in first-class cricket, simply phenomenal! Tendulkar has scored 6416 runs in 79 matches and Bradman 6996 in 52. On a more personal front, Tendulkar is similar to Bradman in many ways like unfailingly courteous, modest, clean-living and comfortable with his own company, still unlike Bradman he has maintained his popularity with team-mates as well as opponents. However, finally, the prominent fact about both legends comes down to the impact they have had on the lives of others and not about the runs they have scored or the averages they have attained. Bradman rose to popularity in Australia particularly during the Great Depression and instantly became a symbol of hope for the countless unemployed, while a source of entertainment for others. Similarly, for the people of Mumbai, Calcutta, Delhi, or any other Indian city, Sachin is no less than an idol or a God of late in a cricket crazy country like India .

The former, often referred to as Little Master or Master Blaster, is Indian’s very own Sachin Tendulkar who is the highest run scorer in Tests as well as ODIs and record holder of the most centuries in either form; and the latter widely referred to as The Don is Australia’s sporting idol Sir Donald Bradman whose 20-year playing career records are no less than a benchmark for youngsters. Both legends, though from two completely different times, have so many similar traits that it’s only natural to draw comparison.

Don Bradman, once while watching cricket on the TV, suddenly called out to his wife in excitement saying, "Look! There! The batsman on the television. Don't you think he reminds you of me?" No points for guessing, the batsman was Sachin Tendlukar. Much like Bradman was, Sachin is five feet six inches tall and dominates every kind of bowling attack with a similar ease. Yet, the only deserving way to truly assess Bradman vs Tendulkar is the comparison amid the many factors that made up their style of play.

Both, Tendulkar and Bradman were more or less proportionately capable considering their unpredictable nature and their run-scoring methods, while Bradman’s strokeplay rises a bit above Tendulkar’s. Bradman’s run-scoring speed was unimaginable when he scored a whooping 452 in only 415 minutes. However, one can disagree stating that the over rates in the thirties and forties were much better than today’s.

On a go-getter type of attitude, Tendulkar’s 24 Test hundreds before his 28th birthday is a considerable achievement. Yet again, Bradman made 10 Test double hundreds and 2 triple hundreds with a total 6 triple and 37 double hundreds in first-class cricket, simply phenomenal! Tendulkar has scored 6416 runs in 79 matches and Bradman 6996 in 52.

On a more personal front, Tendulkar is similar to Bradman in many ways like unfailingly courteous, modest, clean-living and comfortable with his own company, still unlike Bradman he has maintained his popularity with team-mates as well as opponents.

However, finally, the prominent fact about both legends comes down to the impact they have had on the lives of others and not about the runs they have scored or the averages they have attained. Bradman rose to popularity in Australia particularly during the Great Depression and instantly became a symbol of hope for the countless unemployed, while a source of entertainment for others. Similarly, for the people of Mumbai, Calcutta, Delhi, or any other Indian city, Sachin is no less than an idol or a God of late in a cricket crazy country like India.

Sachin tops Bradman says Aus poll

Sachin Tendulkar is of superior quality as a batsman to the great Sir Don Bradman. That's what a poll conducted by an Australian newspaper has to say. The survey was conducted shortly after Tendulkar set a new world recor, becoming the first batsman to score a half-century of Test tons. His feat elicited an overwhelming majority of the public voting in favour of the Little Master.

Australian daily 'Sydney Morning Herald' held the exercise asking readers to vote for 'The greatest batsman ever: Badman or Tendulkar?" with the latter subject scoring 67 per cent to the former's 33. A total of 20,768 people took part in the poll.

Voters apparently took into account the fact that Tendulkar has been a prolific run-scorer in all three formats of the game and has faced a total of 10 countries in the cricketing arena. Bradman however only featured in Tests and played mainly against England.

"Bradman scored a total of 7000 runs of which 5000 plus were against one country. He played only against four countries in an era where not many matches were played in a year. He did not face too many world class bowlers, with the fastest being Larwood who bowled supposedly at 95 mph," another post said.

Some voters felt that Tendulkar has far outstripped Bradman on the basis of the sheer volume of runs he has scored. Plus, they felt that pressure in cricket today is far more palpable than in bygone eras.

"I am Australian. I love Don Bradman .... But my unbiased thought is Sachin is greater, said another opinion. Sachin has more than 30,000 Runs. He is playing in an era where every ball is analyzed and taken note of. Yet 12 nations have not found the way to stop this man.

But others felt Bradman had an edge over Tendulkar because he played in an era of uncovered pitches and without helmets.

"Bradman - no helmet, uncovered pitches, higher average, no advantage of a modern bat, more centuries per innings -enough said really. Tendulkar is the best in the modern game, but Bradman is hands down the greatest," one cricket fan commented.

Still others believed it was inappropriate to compare the two since they played in two vastly different eras. After all, Bradman was in his heyday
when body-line bowling wasn't in vogue before England fast bowler Harold
Larwood unsettled him with such in the 1932-33 Ashes series.

"Sounds foolish to compare players from two different eras. Numbers don't count much when the conditions are so different. Same debate has been on comparing Pele and Maradona," a comment said. 

Bradman's career spanned 20 years from 1928 to 1948, while Tendulkar has already chalked up 21 years and still going strong. On another count, Tendulkar made his Test debut at the tender age of 16, whereas the Don was 20. Tendulkar scored his maiden Test century at 17 years of age, whereas Bradman was 20 when he notched up the first milestone.

However, the Don finished his career with a staggering average of 99.94, but Tendulkar's is presently on a mere 56.91. Tendulkar has played in 175 Tests to Bradman's 52 in his entire career. Sachin has 50 Test centuries and counting to the Don's 29, but a dozen times, the latter has made double centuries while the former has only reached the double-ton mark six times. 

On an occasion before Bradman passed away, he observed from video sources that Tendulkar's batting style uncannily resembled his own. Was the Don reborn as Tendlya?