Sachin Tendulkar – Defying the Odds
Lahore: Jun 4, 2005 “The positions of Jupiter and Mars are not good. I wish I am wrong but this is what the stars tell. Sachin’s career will be over soon.” Said the famous astrologer of Pakistan, Abdullah Shaukat Chowdhry
The famous Indian astrologer Bejan Daruwalla said the same. They were right, what followed was some of the most forgettable times for Sachin Tendulkar fans. He struggled with multiple injuries, by the time his tennis elbow got cured, he started having shoulder problem. What followed after this prediction was poor performances by Sachin in both forms of the game for the next two years.
| Period | Matches | Runs | Average | Strike Rate | 100s/50s |
| Test Matches between Jan 2005 to Dec 2006 | 14 | 711 | 33.85 | 47.14 | 1/4 |
| ODI Matches between Jan 2005 to Dec 2006 | 32 | 1040 | 35.86 | 77.15 | 3/5 |
Many factors led to this slump. The major factor was he played under a coach, who asked him to warm the bench if he was not willing to play down the order. India had a forgettable captain who said “YES SIR” to all the coach’s orders.
This can be backed by the stats of Sachin when he played under different captains and under Dravid/Chappel.
| Captain | Matches | Runs | Average | 100s/50s |
| Dravid (2003-2007) | 21 | 1304 | 40.75 | 4/6 |
| Dravid (Under Chappel 2005-06) | 10 | 414 | 29.57 | 1/1 |
| Azhar (1990-99) | 47 | 3767 | 59.79 | 15/15 |
| Ganguly(2000-2005) | 42 | 3768 | 62.80 | 11/15 |
| Dhoni(2008-2010) | 17 | 1952 | 81.33 | 9/7 |
Even in ODIs, his record under Dravid/Chappel is far less, an average of mid 30s with a strike rate of 77. At the end of this phase despite knowing world cup history, (India got eliminated early whenever Sachin played down the order and whenever he opened India went on to play semi-final and the final of previous world cups) he was forced to play down the order. India got eliminated from the world cup, losing even to Bangladesh and the whole of the country pointed fingers at Sachin Tendulkar. The guru Greg questioned the attitude of Sachin, and Sachin was rested for the series against Bangladesh. During this phase every cricket critic crucified him,
Kapil Dev: “Tendulkar fails to deliver under pressure” , “He is thought to be backbone of Indian team but many times he has not stood up to the occasion”, “People expect big things, but often it is only disappointment that we are left with”, “Figures say that Sachin has not been able to perform under pressure”, “Sachin has big records to his names, but he has never won matches for India”
“Sachin Tendulkar should retire. A player should know when his time is over, like Gavaskar. People asked him, why now? Instead of why not retiring.”
Sanjay Manjerekar: “He is an elephant in the room no one wants to talk about” after a lean patch, “He was afraid of failures and getting out”, “He often sits out citing injury”
Ian Chappel: “Knowing when to stop is a much more difficult decision for the modern player. When the money was not there, it was much easier to move on.“, “At the moment he looks like a player trying to eke out a career; build on a glittering array of statistics. If he really is playing for that reason and not to help win as many matches as he can for India then he is wasting his time and should retire immediately.”
If Tendulkar had found an honest mirror three years ago and asked the question; ‘Mirror, mirror on the wall who is the best batsman of all?‘ It would’ve answered; ‘Brian Charles Lara.’ If he asked that same mirror right now; ‘Mirror, mirror on the wall should I retire?‘ The answer would be; ‘Yes.‘
Sambit Bal: “Watching Tendulkar was embarrassing “, “He had a recovering elbow and a bad back, but none quite explained the crawl that he subjected himself to”, “He looked like a man weighed down by his own doubts”
Siddharth Monga: “Tendulkar has been batting in this perplexing, defensive mode more often recently.”
Greg Chappel (in his leaked report): “The return of Ganguly and Sachin’s captaincy aspirations, had a destabilising effect on the team, forming groups within the players, and stifling the growth of young cricketers who are trying to make a mark”. “Ganguly, Sachin, Sehwag and Harbajan have serious attitude problems that spoils the team harmony”.
An athlete however good would succumb to such pressure. The pressure of a billion people pointing fingers, the injuries, lack of runs, captain/coach working against him, the so called cricket experts advising him to hang his boots and even the planets were against him.
Tendulkar who often let just his batting talk, took the onus on himself to set things straight. Greg Chappel accused him of working against the youngsters, but the entire team rallied around him. The players went on to say “We all stay together and with Sachin”, “Give us a foreigner, give us an Indian, give us anyone but him”, “A coach is supposed to give the players confidence, not create insecurity in the team” “He is manipulative and untrustworthy” “Dravid had bought into Chappell’s ways too much and had not stood up for the players”.
Only the collective pressure of the team saved Sehwag and Harbajan from being axed. Chappel was sacked by the Board, Dravid understanding the pressure quit. Sachin refused to take up captaincy and forwarded the name of Dhoni to Sharad Pawar and the board. Dhoni was appointed the captain of team India in ODIs and Kumble in test matches, everything fell in place.
Exactly 2 and a half years and the planets shifted, so did Sachin. At the age of 34 with that kind of pressure very few would have expected his career to have a second coming, but then he is destiny’s own child. If at 18 he can play like a 35 year old veteran, at 35 he can still play like the 18 year old. He proved that to the world. What followed was a period of golden run which matched or even exceeded his golden run of 1998-99.
| Period | Matches | Runs | Average | Strike Rate | 100s/50s |
| ODI Matches from Jan 2007 onwards | 68 | 3061 | 51.01 | 90.10 | 6/19 |
| Test Matches from Jan 2007 onwards | 37 | 3650 | 64.03 | 56.28 | 14/16 |
He simply proved to the world that he is still the best batsman in both forms of the game. There has been lot of comebacks by players. After a prolonged slump Gooch came back as a better player, Ganguly after being dropped came back and played some useful knocks, and there are numerous examples, but nothing can be as miraculous like this.
It requires a Sachin to have a comeback, and be the best batsman in every form of the game. He is the only batsman to average more than 50 in both forms of the game during this period (Test average of 60 and ODI average of 51 at a strike rate of 90). No batsman has ever dominated both forms of the game like what Sachin has done over the last three seasons.
The same critics who blasted Sachin before came out with totally different opinions
Kapil Dev:
“Sachin has touched several milestones during his 20-year career in the international cricket. He certainly deserves the Bharat Ratna. We will be very happy if he gets the highest honour of the country, Even if Sachin would have got a duck in this innings, still I would say that he deserves the honour. No decision should be taken on the basis of performance in one match, but I am keeping in mind his overall contribution.”
Ian Chappell:
It’s not just the number of runs he’s scored in this prolific period (although four Test centuries in six innings is pretty impressive); rather it’s the manner of his run-gathering. In his scintillating 175 against Australia and the double-century that demolished South Africa, it was his dominance that stood out. Both innings rattled along at much better than a run-a-ball,s and when he is regularly punching drives off the back foot you know Tendulkar is master of all he surveys.
Sanjay Manjerekar:
“A man in his 20th year of cricket getting a double hundred is a special moment. In the end he was running those singles and doubles for the partner at the other end, unlike Saeed Anwar who ran his last 90 runs with a runner.
“It shows Tendulkar’s commitment. Truly, this was a once-in-a-lifetime innings.”
Sambit Bal:
“Tendulkar transcends every format, to watch the master in Chennai was to be reminded of how he unites India, and also of how his batting has remained pure”.
“Sachin was a happy reminder of the things we adore about cricket”.
Sidharth Monga:
“Nobody plays solos better than Sachin, for two decades he has carried Indian dreams on his shoulders”.
While the critics ate back their words, the other blemish which people often said about Sachin is that he has slowed down and is not suited for T20s. John Buchannan went on records saying that this game is not for Sachin and he cannot succeed in this form of the game which requires fresh legs and aggressive batsmanship. Sachin went on to become the leading run scorer of any IPL tournament, with excellent average and strike rate. Such is the fickle minded critics and the audience that they wanted Sachin to play the world T20 (from which he retired), despite calling him a misfit a couple of seasons ago.
When he is playing people wanted him to retire and when he has retired from a particular format, people and the critics want him to comeback. There was no one like Sachin and there will be no one like him in the future. He is the Greatest Cricketer to walk on this planet. Period.
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I don’t Know Why Ian Said Lara Greater Than Sachin.Coz IN This Modern Generation only Sachin Is the Man Who is compared With Bradman,all other great players even don’t deserve taking their names Infront Of Bradman.Hence Sachin is Undoubtedly The Greatest Cricketer for last 20 years.And He Is THE GREATEST Cricketer In The World Along With Bradman……
i personally dont get it,why people still compare sachin tendulkar with other cricketers.He’s just a player who seems to break his own record everytym he bats.
Sachin Tendulkar, remained the most valuable player. He is born to bat and play cricket.
“no doubt sachin has been the backbone for the team, his contribution and dedication towards its team throughout his 20years long career is amazing and prelific. undoubtedly he is a fair candidate for bharat ratna; but it would probably be aprropriate if he brings the 2011 world cup home and for which he is still strivinging for. It would be a suitable end for what has been an epic career of his in world cricket. all though it seems no full stop to his worship towards cricket and I wish infact the whole
@ Anand……..VVS…h’mm i mean very very special comment…
Indeed GOD is untouchable…criticizing him vl b the last thing to do as a fool…
SACHIN IS THE GREATEST CRICKETER IN THE WORLD THAN BRADMAN.WE CANNOT COMPARE HIM WITH ANYONE BECAUSE HE IS THE GREATEST .
What is the reason for comparing SACHIN to BRADMAN i don’t understand WHY??
SACHIN is all time greatness Cricketer!! played for more than 20 years in almost all cricketing nations!!!! On more than 100 different Cricket pitches!!!! made tons against all the cricketing nations in the world!!!! there are uncountable greatnesses to tell about this legend right on the field to off the field!!!!! Also SACHIN feels more happy when the team wins or when he takes an catch an important catch than when he make tons!!!! We Bow you MASTER!!! He never lets down the audience and fans expectations…..
and the Bradman just played against 4 or 5 nations,, and on about 5 or 6 different cricket pitches!!!! thats all..
There is no right for any one to comment or criticise on SACHIN RAMESH TENDULKAR!!! Every one must respect him and his decisions!!!
What is the reason for comparing SACHIN to BRADMAN i don’t understand WHY??
SACHIN is all time greatness Cricketer!! played for more than 20 years in almost all cricketing nations!!!! On more than 100 different Cricket pitches!!!! made tons against all the cricketing nations in the world!!!! there are uncountable greatnesses to tell about this legend right on the field to off the field!!!!! Also SACHIN feels more happy when the team wins or when he takes an catch an important catch than when he make tons!!!! We Bow you MASTER!!! He never lets down the audience and fans expectations…..
and the Bradman just played against 4 or 5 nations,, and on about 5 or 6 different cricket pitches!!!! thats all..
There is no right for any one to comment or criticise on SACHIN RAMESH TENDULKAR!!! Every one must respect him and his decisions!!!
Hi Ajith,
I could not help but notice that you have written so many articles about Sachin.There is no doubt that the man is a legend.However,this article just like the Bradman-Sachin comparison article is highly biased.
I understand the fact that you are a very big Sachin fan.However,you need to realize that Sachin is human and can make mistakes.He was in a bad patch because of his own batting and not because of bad captaincy.You point fingers at a legend like Rahul Dravid to cover up for Sachin’s bad form back in that period.Its just not fair.
Let me tell you,Dravid is one of the most successful Indian captains ever.He is only captain under whom India won a test match in South Africa.He also led India to a series win in England in ’07 after 21 years.He was the captain and Man of the series when India won test series in West Indies after 40 years back in ’06.When it comes to ODIs,India didn’t do well in WC 2007,but under him we won 8 consecutive ODIs and also won 15 consecutive ODIs chasing.
So know your stats and do your homework before saying he was a forgettable captain.He was way more successful than Sachin as captain.A legend like Dravid deserves more respect.He is a person who doesn’t create an issue,which is why he voluntarily decided to step down as captain since he wasn’t able to work with Vengsarkar.
In 2001-06 period,Dravid was India’s best player like Sachin was from 1996-2001.It is a fact which you may not agree to but is completely true.He was backbone in overseas wins and Sachin has only himself to blame for his bad form during that period.
It is ridiculuos to call him the greatest sportsman ever or even the greatest Cricketer.Infact he is not even amongst the top 4 Cricketers of all time.
The greatest Cricketer ever is Sir Garfield Sobers,who could change the complexion of a match in every possible department of the game.He was the equivalent of a prophet to the game,ahead of even Bradman.Overall as a Cricketer I would rate Imran Khan ahead of Sachin and at his best Kapil Dev could win or turn the complexion of a game to a greater extent.
Tendulkar is statistically,the greatest ever batsman combining test matches with one -day Internationals.What tilts the scale in Sachin’s favour is his Muhammad Ali style comeback.Surely in the top 6 batsman of all time.
However it is unfair to rate Sachin as he only true contender to Don Bradman. Sachin has never equalled Viv Richard’s ferocity against great pace bowling,Gary Sobers brilliance in a crisis,Jack Hobbs mastery over wet wickets,the technical prowess of Len Hutton and Barry Richards,the creative genius of Rohan Kanhai or Denis Compton , or broken records facing the calibre of bowling combated by Sunil Gavaskar.In the modern era he has also not displayed the same hunger for mammoth scores like Virendra Sehwag or Brian Lara.When the chips were down infact Lara often edged out Sachin carrying the brunt of one of the weakest batting sides.To me it is unfair to rate Sachin ahead of Gary Sobers,Jack Hobbs or Viv Richards.
Where Sachin has stood out is his consistency in both forms of the game and his mastery in the V.He posesses all the qualities of a complete batsman.
Overall to me the most complete batsman of all time was Sir Garfield Sobers.Had he done justice to his talent Rohan Kanhai may well have been the best of all batsman.For sheer batting prowess and creative skill he was the ultimate batsman.
@ Mayank Jhaveri
Where did I say anything about Dravid’s batting? Dravid is a better captain? thats why he said ‘yes’ to everything that Chappell said?
Look at the performance of Bajji, Sehwag and Sachin under Dravid captaincy and under other captaincy.
He won matches on the trot and Pathan was in awesome form and won a lot of matches then.. but Chappell closed his career as well.
Why in the world would some one send in sachin at Number 4 in ODIs. Look at his performance as a opener in ODI an average of close to 50.. tell me one opener who is as prolific as Sachin.
When Chappel said “you either bat at number 4 or warm the bench” to sachin why did not Dravid talk in favor of sachin? Why did the players revolt against him and the coach?
You call him a good captain? When the whole issue was boiling.. he was enjoying his trip to kerala..
He is not the leader of entire india.. he is just the captain of a group of individuals.. and if those individuals say “we still respect dravid, but what is really hurting us is instead of supporting us, he is always supporting Chappell”. Or when Yuvi said “The entire team is with Sachin” when asked about this issue. Did he come out once in support of his team mates? No.. it is not winning that matters.. a good group of individuals will win.. but it is the team spirit that matters.. The team did not have any under his leadership.. or for that matter he was not even a leader.. he simply said ‘Yes Sir’ to everything that Chappell said.. or probably he did not have the spine to stand up against Chappell.
Fortunately he and Chappel resigned.. else we would have lost sehwag permanently..
Now don’t claim the victory in west indies as a great deal.. it is one of weakest west indies team ever.. even bangladesh has won a test series in west indies.. Tell me when was the last time west indies won a home series?
Between 2001 to 2005 Dravid was clearly the best performer for India in test.. I do agree but that is not because sachin lost his form.. but because of his injuries.. Every good player will have a purple patch.. and dravid had his.. Only the greatest will play like what they did before 20 years.. and Dravid is no match to sachin..
@ mayank
Why nobody is noticing the form of Dravid off late, why every eye ball pinned @ Sachin during his worst days. Why ??. Sachin never took 4 years to get his form but dravid is still continuing his sedate run.
When the whole issue was burning after the debacle of World cup ,2007 he went to Kovalam beach. Here Chappell was questioning the attitude of Sachin.
Coming to the wins abroad which you have mentioned in west indies,south africa and England.
You think he lead has a true captain to all these series wins. one should only laugh. In West Indies instead of winning 2 tests, he was satisified for 1 match win. During the 2nd test, he played for a draw when he still had the batters like yuvi,kaif in the line up and of course he once again declared when Kaif was on 148*( couldnt allow him to get his 150)
Coming to South Africa, how much did he contribute with bat, It was individual performances which won the test for us @ Kingsmead ( Dada’s 54, Sachin’s 42 and brilliant spell by Sreesanth)
Coming to England. Again was happy with 1 test match win, wht was his contribution as a batsman or even as a captain for that matter.
Any captain loves to retire on high, So did dravid do and more importantly he screwed all trust in between the tour, without informing anything/anyone he resigned from captainship and that was the main reason why Vengsarkar was angry with him. India won the Nottingam match purly becos of Sachin,Zaheer and Kumble. So please dont give credit to Dravid.
He is the worst captain India has ever seen and will never see again .ok now coming to Dhoni’s captainship he took the same team and changed whole complexion in just 6 months of time. How come did this happen?. As a captain, dravid remained Individual.That is unacceptable quality of a leader who is leading a team.
@ Harsh
Those are very good points that you made.. but on my defense.. Sachin can play like richards or like gavaskar.. that is the one single defining aspect about his batting.. he has played breath taking knocks like the game where he opened for the first time or the 2003 WC against Pak.. or his perth knock.. or his chennai knock of 155.. he can take the best bowlers to task.. or he can play like gavaskar when the situation demands.. Whereas richards and sobers played one brand of cricket. Adaptability is the greatest measure of a cricketer..
Being the best batsman of the world in all the three formats over the last year is a testimony to his greatness (This is after 20 years of playing).. Richards struggled towards the end of his career.. his ego over powered him but not with sachin..
No one is as adaptable as sachin is.. Sobers played only Tests.. he would have made a great ODI player as well..but no one saw him score runs in ODIs (both of his innings resulted in ducks).. Sobers won matches through his batting, bowling or even catching.. so is sachin.. he has won matches purely as a bowler and not once.. quite often.. two bowl the last over with 6 runs or less required and pulling it off more than once is not a mean feat.. he can literally do anything with the ball.. can bowl at 120 kmph, and swing the ball both ways.. bowl off spinners, leg spinners, googlies.. and get wickets against any opposition.
About scoring big runs.. a score of 400 makes no sense when it was made just for the sake of breaking a record.. it requires a opener or a 1 down batsman to score 300s.. only players who played in these positions have scored 300 plus runs frequently.. you can check the stats.. and sachin has the maximum number of 150+ scores in world.. which implies that he has the aptitude for big knocks.. and sachin is the first and only batsman in the world to get a 200 in an ODI.
He has played like Richards when it is required, and he has played like Gavaskar when it is required.. he has succeed in a pacy perth at its best.. and he has succeeded in square turners against great spinners. He has dominated in world cups, he has succeeded against best pace bowlers.. and the best spinners of all time.. Dominated a strong SA attack in SA, dominated the top team of modern times australia in australia.. performed in the seaming conditions of England..
At the twilight of his career he is dominating T20 like no one else.. Greatness is in performance, dominating the opposition, consistency, adaptability and longevity. In every aspect sachin is right there at the top..
These ICC awards is just a testimony for that.. he is the only player to be nominated in 4 different categories of ICC awards.. test player, ODI player, player of the year and people’s choice.. this is after playing 20 years of cricket..
These asshole cricket writer only write bad about him bcoz they want their colunms to be read so that their publishers and they themselves can make good revenue. They know for themselves that there was never a better player than him and there never will be ever in future.
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