Lot is being said about Sanjay Manjrekar and other critics eating their words and what not. One should remember, no one is questioning Tendulkar's greatness as a batsman in a game played by 9 nations in the world. His greatness as a batsman is beyond question. But, one has to go the extra mile to be called the greatest match-winner. And that is where the critics are questioning his abilities. The above statistics are revealing. After 1998-99, this is the first time he has really carried India on his shoulders with a match-winning knock in the finals of a tournament! That is the hallmark of greatness. Just take Gilcharist for example. By any stretch of imagination he is not the greatest batsman - he cannot hold a candle to the greatness of Tendulkar. But the fact remains he has played two of the greatest knocks in the finals of World Cup, both of which Australia won comfortably. Gilcharist has played many such match winning knocks both in Test and one day matches. That extra mile, that is what is important. I am sure I will be abused by all and sundry for this comment, but facts cannot be hidden.
