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.
RE:Are the critics wrong?
by Hari on Mar 03, 2008 10:30 AM Permalink
well said. Two innnings in my opinion say about real tendulkar 1. Throwing wicket away in WC 2003 finals for just 4 runs. 2.Duck against SL in WC 2007 in do or die match. That resulted in our exit in first round. DO I neeed to say more. WC is mother all tournamnets and pressure . All other tournaments just filler in between 4 years. That is why WC win by Under 19 is mother of all wins.
RE:Are the critics wrong?
by anusheel srivastava on Mar 03, 2008 09:28 AM Permalink
Hi...i think u r quite out of the raod..no single player can win the match..it is the team effort...and the data what they have shown is not correct..u cant question the ability of a person who is ven recoginsed in the country where cricket is not played..
RE:Are the critics wrong?
by ram kumar on Mar 03, 2008 09:53 AM Permalink
Agree Anusheel. Guys like Vasudevan don't understand cricket. Vasudevan please see my comment above. The MOM awards speak for itself unless characters like you have an opinion there as well.
RE:Are the critics wrong?
by NAGENDRA KUMAR AKULA on Mar 03, 2008 09:58 AM Permalink
You are right anusheel, Had Tendulkar been in Aus team, he would have scored 10000 more runs, with all the support from other players and no pressure from Media...
RE:Are the critics wrong?
by VASUDEVAN V on Mar 03, 2008 10:17 AM Permalink
Well, well, well - If it is a team game, why give importance only to Tendulkar and make him God! Yesterday Tendulkar's knock came only after the bowlers bowled creditably and restricted Australia to 239, an achievable target. But you see TV and Newspapers - it is only `Tendulkaraya Namah...'. If it is a team game, give equal importance to the performance of the whole team without raising the status of a player to that of God. Remember, Kumble has bowled his heart out for this country and won many, many matches (of course, in a team game). Why is he not raised to the status of God. Perhaps, because Cricket is a batsman's game and Tendulkar is our God. I still maintain, he is the greatest batsman (repeat BATSMAN) in contemporary cricket and not the greatest matchwinner, team game or not.
RE:Are the critics wrong?
by ravi boppudi on Mar 03, 2008 10:46 AM Permalink
Hi Vasudevan,
Hats off to you. You are spot on. But I hope Sachin shows some consistency and delivers the goods in the biggest of biggest matches. All the best to Sachin. To be branded as the undisputed greatest match winner is what I want for Sachin. May Sachin's Father in Heaven give him the strength to overcome this final hurdle to be called the Undisputed Greatest Match Winner ever.
