THIS IS THE ANSWER TO ALL WHO HATE SACHIN TENDULKAR "GOD OF CRICKET"


This is what we hear from most of SACHIN'S CRITICS

1.Selfish
2.Scoring Against weaker Oppostions
3.Failing in pressure situation

Little Info about this>>>>

1.Selfish

Well Records are meant to be broken and if Sachin is breaking them critics[haters more rightly] can't digest them.. One of the incidents people mention is regarding his 194 knock against pakistan..some said it was slow knock..agreed it was a slow knock by Sachin's stature,but if it is compared wid one of the knock wid Dravid...this will not look as bad it seems..
Tendulkar- 194 runs in multan with a strike rate of around 54 Dravid- 217 runs in oval with a strike rate of around 46 I m just taking one example to tell that Dravid's natural game is to hold the one end and let the others to dominate..in multan Sachin changed his gears and holded one end and he let sehwag to dominate..played Rahul's role in that innings. Now this is called team game.. but people call it slow batting and selfish... Sachin always said Team's win is more important than personal landmark.. He proved this statement in that very test by taking Moin Khan's wicket off the last ball of the 3rd day..That Ball was> beauty!!Wasn't he happy at that moment??? Since Sachin is the most senior player of the team so he can't throw his wicket just to prove critics that he is still a master blaster...[he is still scoring at brisk rate in onedays]..People> forget his fast scroing Centuries against world class bowling 169 [201 balls] against South Africa in 1997 at Capetown, 92 [120 balls] against West Indies in 1997 at Bridgetown, 155 [191 balls] against Australia in 1998 at Chennai, 79 [ 85 balls] against Australia in 1998 at Kolkata, 100 in 123 balls against NewZealand in 1999 at Wellington[he scored 113> runs in that inning] 155 [183 balls] against South Africa in 2001 in Bloemfontein. There are many other breath taking innings in tests from 10dulkar. But everyone please note this down..Sachin is the Only Batsman in Test Cricket who scored 3 Centuries wid a SIX 179 - 6 off Walsh[I remember it was a hook shot] against WestIndies in 1994 at Nagpur, 124 - 6 off Min Patel[off spinner,straight down the ground] against England in 1996 at Birmingham, 113 - 6 off Wiseman[off spinner,straight down the ground] against Newzealnad in 1999 at Wellington.


Critics says he plays for his records and centuries..Now just look to this.. One Day Centuries- 39 [out of 39 centuries India Won 28 times and lost 10times,1 century in a rain affected match ] 10 centuries gone in Vain..Half Centuries- 72 now here is that intresting part out of these 72 centuries Sachin got 28 scores of 80 and above in these 28 scores if we take out the innings in which he was not out[coz of over completed or target chased ] he was 5 times not out in such innings so now lets talk about remaining 23 innings. Can u believe he has 10 scores of 90's??? If these 90's were convertedin 100's the stats looks likes this Centuries-49 just one short of 50 ODI centuries... and look he missed another record for those who have so much fuss about playing forrecords.. getting out highest numbers of times in 90's in ODI's ..just coz hewanted to score for the team and not for the his personal records he got out 10times in 90's Test Centuries- 35 [12 in which India won,15 in dead tests,8 in lost tests ]> lone> > warrior in tests which India lost Half Centuries- 41 Intresting Part 12 scores of 80+ 6 scores of 90's convert them in 100s..he will pass 40 centuries in Test Cricket..sad for critics he played for team and thats why couldn't> converted these 90's into 100's


2.Scoring Against weaker Oppostions

This can happen in India only.. People remembers 152 against Namibia and forgets 98 against Pakistan in WorldCup People remembers 248 against Bangladesh and forgets his 7 centuries against World Champions Australia [4 in their own den].. Only one century against Bangladesh and share the honour of scoring test century against each test playing nation wid Dravid,Ponting and Garry Kristen...No one talk about other 3 batsman scored centuries against Bangladesh..then why the fuss for Sachin?? Test Australia - 7 Centuries [4 in Australia], 2 of them at the age of 18 in 1992 Bangladesh- 1 Century [Unfortunately his highest score in Test Cricket] England- 6 Centuries [4 in England], NewZealand- 3 Centuries [1 in NewZealand] Pakistan- 2 Centuries [1 in Pakistan] SouthAfrica- 3 Centuries [ all three in South Africa] Srilanka- 7 Centuries [4 in Srilanka] WestIndies- 3 Centuries [ 1 in WestIndies]> > Zimbabwe- 3 Centuries [ none in Zimbabwe] 90+ 96 against Srilanka at Banglore in 1994, 92 against West Indies at Bridgetown in 1997, 97 against South Africa at Mumbai in 2000, 90 against England at Banglore in 2001, 92 against England at Nottingham in 2002, 94 against Pakistan at Mohali in 2005. Intresting Part, He scored runs in all parts of world..There are three types of wickets u generally found in Cricket..Fast and bouncy Pitches like in Australia, South-Africa,NewZealand,WestIndies,Spin tracks in India,Srilanka,Pakistan,and seeming tracks like in England. Today people talk about Ricky Ponting...now check this out .


Sachin's and Ponting's average at their own home soil is

above 55 so nothing to discuss this here,but the real part starts now

Sachin's average in Australia 54.15 , 4 centuries, Ponting's average in India,12.28 , no centuries

Sachin's average in England 71.60 , 4 centuries
Ponting's average in England 42.63 , 3 centuries

I am taking records for these countries only bcoz.. rightnow,best fast bowlers are from Australia,best spinners are from India,Best Seamersfrom england[as there is no choice bcoz only england have such pitches]. Anyone can take easily tell who played gud cricket against best attack on all kind of pitches...

One Day

Australia - 7 Centuries + 1 score of 90's
Bangladesh- 0 Century
England- 1 Centuries + 1 score of 90's
Kenya- 4 Centuries
Namibia- 1 Century
NewZealand 4 Centuries
Pakistan- 5 Centuries + 4 scores of 90's
SouthAfrica- 3 Centuries + 1 score of 90's
Srilanka- 7 Centuries + 3 score of 90's
WestIndies- 2 Centuries
Zimbabwe- 5 Centuries

90+

90 against Australia in 1996 at Mumbai
91 against England in 1997 at Sharjah
95 against Pakistan in 1998 at Dhaka
93 against Pakistan in 2000 at Hobart
93 against SouthAfrica in 2000 at Nagpur
93 against Srilanka in 2000 at Dhaka
98 against Pakistan in 2003 at Centurion
97 against Srilanka in 2003 at Johannesburg
93 against Srilanka in 2005 at Nagpur
95 against Pakistan in 2006 at Lahore

Intresting Part> > Only 5 Centuries against minnows like Kenya ,Namibia[non test playing> > nation]...and Kenya was the semi-finalist of the world cup'03 10 scores of above 90 against only test playing nations...now can anyone tell me how is he selfish??

34 times he scored more than 80 and couldn't reached100..If he played for his records..he could easily scored 100's all of those scores above 80's ...



3.Failing in pressure situation

ODI

Won Chasing Target

M R H AVG 100s 50s

Sachin- 101 4397 134 58.62 13 23
Dravid- 72 2124 109* 49.39 2 19
Ponting- 77 2670 124* 53.40 4 17

In Quater Finals
Sachin- 3 210 141 70.00 1 0
Dravid- 2 57 48 28.50 0 0
Ponting- 3 118 46 39.33 0 0

In Semi Finals

Sachin- 7 232 83 33.14 0 2
Dravid- 4 28 58 42.66 0 1
Ponting- 5 71 37 14.20 0 0

In Finals

Sachin - 36 1487 134 47.96 4 9
Dravid- 23 690 103* 34.50 1 3
Ponting- 33 1217 140* 45.07 2 6

All Finals

Sachin- 47 1954 141 46.52 5 11
Dravid- 30 943 103* 37.72 1 5
Ponting- 41 1406 140* 40.17 2 6

In Series Won

Sachin- 127 5548 186* 51.37 19 26
Dravid- 76 2645 153 42.66 2 22
Ponting- 177 7245 145 47.98 18 45

In Test 100's in Tests India Won - 12
100's in Tests India Lost - 8
100's in Test Drawn - 15

Holds the record of maxium number of 100's for loosing team...That means a lone warrior..Thats why once Indian Cricket Team was called as ONE MAN ARMY!!!!

More Intresting Part!!!!!!!!

Often said Sachin gets fail at crunch situation...Well 1st we must admit that when Sachin on the crease Win is sure...As soon Sachin getsout..the situation becomes crunchy!!! Sachin is out,now who will win match for us?? Dravid ?? or Sehwag?? or Yuvraj?? No one sure who will win match for them... So bcoz of this thing Teams targets Sachin as the most preciouswicket...

Nasser Hussain introduced Negative lines for Sachin Tendulkar to stopthe flow of runs when he is on wicket!!!

Local umpires also involved some times to help their team against Sachin Tendulkar,espeically Australians!

Some incidents striking in my mind...I think Sachin is the player who got out maximum numbers of times bcoz of bad or wrong decision by Umpires..

Im producing those incidents only which I remember,there may be many other too

1. 92 - out of a NO ball from Frankline Rose against West Indies in 1997 at Bridgetown..Remember India lost the test just by 38 runs..U can just imagine how much that bad decision effected the result of the match!!!

2. 83 - Out of a NO ball again..[don't remember the bowler] last test in WestIndies in 1997.Draw Test.

3. 67- LBW off Crains..last test against NewZealand in 1999, was not out coz the ball pitched outside the legstump.Match Drawn
4. 61 - caught at forward shortleg,bowler Shane Warne.against Australiaat Adelaide in 1999.. the ball touched the thigh pads and Umpire DarelHarper gave him out.. India were 107 for 4 when Ganguly joined Sachin and they put on 108 runs for the 5th wicket..

5. 0 - LBW bowler Macgrath..against Australia at Adelaide in 1999,same test, nothing more to say..Everyone remember that FOOLISH decision

6. 52 - LBW bowler Shane Warne,Umpire David Shepherd,against Australiaat Melbourne in 1999, were chasing 356 as a target on the fourth day.

7. 45 - LBW bowler Macgrath,UmpireIan Robinson,against Australia at Sydney in 2000, the ball seemed to hit him too high and was going on leg stump, In that very over,Tendulkar had pulled a short one from Macgrath for two,and hooked the next two for boundaries,and a ball later punched the fast bowler back past him for the 3rd four of the over

8. 16 - caught behind off Waqar Younis,against Pakistan at Perth in2000, it was must win situation for India to qualify in the final , scored 16runs of 9 balls, hitted 3 fours in one over of Waqar Younis and 1 off Wasim Akram on the fastest pitch of the world,India were chasing 260 odd runs...

9. 0 - LBW bowler Gillespie,Umpire Bucknor,against Australia at Brisbane in 2003 funny thing is that the bowler not applead for the LBW...MR.Bucknor gave the decision of his own

10. 0 - caught behind off Lee,against Australia at Melbourne in2003, ball touched the thigh pads and umpire given him out.

11. 54 - caught behind,Umpire Bucknor,against Pakistan at Kolkata in2005, I think we all seen that decison, the ball was not near to his pad, gloves, helmet, arm.. no where...

There may be so many other incident like this...Teams like Australia taking help from the umpires to stop Tendulkar... the 1999-2000 tour ofAustralia proves it..

THIS IS THE ANSWER TO ALL WHO HATE SACHIN TENDULKAR "GOD OF CRICKET"

HEY CRITICS is that ENOUGH OR STILL U WANT

And the last thing is that Sachin played 11 years [1989-2000] in the era where his own team mates involved in match fixing.. So despite of his brilliant knocks we failed to win the match just bcoz others not contirbuting..You can win ODI's just wid ur own batting but u can't win test matches wid one innings bcoz test played for 5 days its a 4 inning game..Still Tendulkar's record in that era is Awesome.. and remember The awe of opponents was as great as that of crowds.

But the finest compliment must be that bookmakers would not fix the odds - or a game - until Tendulkar was out.

Cheers!!!!!!

Sachin Tendulkar : The Genius

There have been many accolades given to Sachin Tendulkar, but none can match the one bestowed upon him by the great Sir Donald Bradman.

Recognized by the Don as his modern incarnation, he is a player of a lifetime, a pure genius. More than 23,000 international runs, composed with the aid of more than 70 centuries - a record for both Tests and ODIs - is a testament of the physical and mental skill the master blaster possesses.

Tendulkar made his international debut at a mere 16, when he was called upon to play against Pakistan in Pakistan following a series of unbelievable domestic performances, which just couldn't put him out of the spotlight. The most glaring of those was an exceptional 664-run partnership with schoolmate, close friend, and future international teammate, Vinod Kambli in a Harris Shield game.

Despite not succeeding to expected levels on that tour of Pakistan against the fiery pace of Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis, along with the following tour of New Zealand, Tendulkar showed enough promise that it was only a matter of time before he unleashed his unmatched talents. He did exactly so by scoring a match-saving century against England in the next series, displaying his exceptional mental prowess for his age.

He then topped it off with some remarkable batting performances in Australia the next season, including a couple of memorable centuries.

Tendulkar's ODI career didn't get off to the most perfect of starts, with hardly any scores of noting in his first 20 to 30 matches. Despite a few handy performances in the 1992 World Cup in Australia, a couple of which earned him Man of the Match awards, it wasn't until the series against New Zealand in New Zealand in 1993/94, when he was drafted up the order to open, that the real monster in him was released. A 49-ball 82 in the second match of that series stands truly as the defining moment in his rise as probably the best opener in the shorter version of the game.

Even since then, the name of Tendulkar itself causes terror to the opening bowlers, as well as others alike. Fans all around the world have come to recognize the wonder that is his batting. His 'specialties' include the straight drive (a shot that no one comes close to mastering as well as he has done), the cover drive, the square cut, the pull shot over midwicket/square leg, the delicate leg glance, the late cut, the lofted shots over mid-on and mid-off, not to mention the improvisations he keeps coming up with time and again like an effective reverse sweep or the ever-so-productive paddle sweep against the spinners.

Some of his shots are hit with so much power that the ball simply rockets to the fence as if he was trying to dismiss the ball from his presence. On the other hand, some of his shots are neatly timed and placed well. His timing can be quite exquisite and it is this blend of timing and raw power which makes him one among the all-time best batsmen.Tendulkar's best performances have come against Australia, which shows that he doesn't shy away from the main event. There isn't a batsman in the entire world that is able to say that he has countered Shane Warne more times than anyone can dream of than Tendulkar. In fact, one of the most memorable moments in Indian cricket during the 1990s came when his back-to-back centuries in Sharjah not only rescued the country from a position where a place in the finals seemed almost impossible, but actually took them to the trophy win against a full-strength Aussie attack.

His mental strength has been displayed over and over again, whether it be rescuing the team over and over again, or coming out to bat after his father's death to score a century in the 1999 World Cup. His 136 against Pakistan at Chennai in 1998/99 which almost took India to a compelling win, still stands as one of the most mentally tough innings or all-times, despite it being a heart-breaking one.

Tendulkar, for a large part in his career, has stayed as fit as they come. His only major time off in the 1990s came as a result of a serious back injury following the 1998/99 Pakistan series which took him months to recover from. Lately though, a niggling tennis elbow condition has kept him out for a fair while. Tendulkar's impression has always been that of an aggressive batsman, which has probably resulted in much criticism that has come against him in the last two years because of a distinct change in his batting style due to the said injury.

Gone has the flamboyance that bowlers used to be scared about, and it has been replaced by a calm composure, which despite providing valuable results, hasn't shown the same excitement as the Tendulkar of old times. In fact, the lowest ebb of his career just came recently against England, when he was booed off the Wankhede stadium after being dismissed cheaply.

Tendulkar's only other really bleak phase apart from the current one came when he was the captain of the national side, which proved to be one of the worst period of Indian cricket in the 90s, although it had little impact on his batting.

The fact that Tendulkar's batting is so masterful is probably the reason his bowling and fielding skills are hardly talked about. He was one of the very few players who could be called a good fielder during the pre-Kaif/Yuvraj times and his bowling has earned him close to 200 international wickets, yet goes unnoticed.

In fact, there isn't as cunning or guile a leg-spinner in India, apart from Anil Kumble. The variations that he comes up with his bowling, considering the minimalist time he gives to it in practice, are something that warrants him to be a regular bowler.

It isn't possible to describe the man and his achievements in a single page such is the awe at the personality, the talent, the never-ending perseverance, the modesty and more that Tendulkar possesses. There's one more accolade he has been given which comes close to The Don's, which should be a perfect sign-off for this profile - the following quote by Raj Singh Dungarpur, who has been associated with Indian cricket for decades: "Twenty per cent of all Indians don't get two square meals a day. But when Tendulkar scores a century, they don't want the second meal."

Slashin' Sachin

For his many fawning fans, Sachn Tendulkar is a living saint. To cricket connoisseurs, he is the baron of batsmanship. To adversaries, particularly those assigned the unenviable task of controlling him, he induces nightmares.

Tendulkar's boyish charm, his easy smile, and gentle manner all camouflage a competitive streak, which has helped him decimate attacks around the world since he entered the international ranks at the tender age of 16.

His freakish talents have earned him millions, won him the adulation of his cricket-crazed nation, and frightened bowlers around the globe.

Hard-bitten Australian Steve Waugh believes Tendulkar is the best batsman since the incomparable Sir Donald Bradman.

At 25 and already a former Indian captain, Tendulkar has many strengths, but none frustrate opponents more than his ability to retain firm control of his mind and body in the most tense situations.

Among Tendulkar's attributes are sharp reflexes, correct head positioning, and nimble footwork. They allow him to navigate two courses at once, changing tack only at the last moment after he has analysed the bowler's options, the field placings, the pace, and movement of the ball off the pitch.

SACHIN RAMESH TENDULKAR

Born in Mumbai (then Bombay) into a middle-class family, Sachin Tendulkar was named after his family's favourite music director Sachin Dev Burman. He went to Sharadashram Vidyamandir School where he started his cricketing career under coach Ramakant Achrekar. While at school, he was involved in a mammoth 664 run partnership in a Harris Shield game with friend and team mate Vinod Kambli. In 1988/1989, he scored 100 not-out in his first first-class match, for Bombay against Gujarat. At 15 years and 232 days he was the youngest to score a century on debut.

Sachin played his first international match against Pakistan in Karachi in 1989, facing the likes of Wasim Akram, Imran Khan, Abdul Qadir, and Waqar Younis. He made just 15 runs, being bowled by Waqar Younis, who also made his debut in that match. It was an inauspicious start, but Tendulkar followed it up with his maiden Test fifty a few days later at Faisalabad. His One-day International (ODI) debut on December 18 was equally disappointing, where he was dismissed without scoring a run, again by Waqar Younis. The series was followed by a non-descript tour of New Zealand in which he fell for 88 in a Test match, John Wright, who would later coach India, pouching the catch that prevented Tendulkar from becoming the youngest centurion in Test cricket. The long anticipated maiden Test century came in England's tour in 1990 but the other scores were not remarkable. Tendulkar truly came into his own in the 1991-1992 tour of Australia that included a brilliant century on the fast and bouncy track at Perth. He has been Man of the Match 11 times in Test matches and Man of the Series twice, both times in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia.

His first ODI century came on September 9, 1994 against Australia in Sri Lanka at Colombo. It had taken Tendulkar 79 ODIs to score a century.

Sachin Tendulkar is the only player to score a century while making his Ranji Trophy, Duleep Trophy and Irani Trophy debut.

Wisden named Tendulkar one of the Cricketers of the Year in 1997, the first calendar year in which he scored 1,000 Test runs. He repeated the feat in 1999, 2001, and 2002.

Tendulkar also holds the record for scoring 1,000 ODI runs in a calendar year. He has done it six times - 1994, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2000 and 2003. In 1998 he made 1,894 ODI runs, still the record for ODI runs by any batsman in any given calendar year.

While not a regular bowler, Tendulkar has 37 wickets in 132 tests.

Test cricket

Highlights of Tendulkar's Test career include:

• Rated as the second best batsman of all time (next to Don Bradman) by Wisden ^[1][3]
• Highest number of Test centuries (35), overtaking Sunil Gavaskar's record (34) on 10 December 2005 vs Sri Lanka in Delhi.
• Played in the highest number of Cricket Grounds - he has played Test Cricket on 52 different grounds, ahead of Azharuddin (48), Kapil Dev (47), Inzamam-ul-Haq (46) and Wasim Akram (45).
• He is the fastest to score 10,000 runs in Test cricket history. He holds this record along with Brian Lara. Both of them achieved this feat in 195 innings.
• 4th highest tally of runs in Test cricket (10,323)
• Career Average 55.79 - Has the highest average among those who have scored over 10,000 Test runs
• Second Indian to make over 10,000 runs in Test matches.
• Has 37 Test wickets (14 Dec 2005)
• Second fastest player to reach 9000 runs (Brian Lara made 9000 in 177 innings, Sachin in 179.)

ODI

Highlights of Tendulkar's ODI career include:

• Played more matches than any other cricketer
• Most Man of the Match (50) awards
• Appeared on the most grounds (89 different grounds)
• Most runs (14,146 as of 15th February, 2006)
• Most centuries (39)
• Most centuries vs. Australia, South Africa, New Zealand, Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe.
• First cricketer to cross 10,000-run mark in ODIs
• Only cricketer to cross 14,000-run mark in ODIs
• Only player to have over 100 innings of 50+ runs as of February, 2006
• Over 100 wickets (141 as of 15th February, 2006)
• Highest batting average among batsmen with over 10,000 ODI runs (as of March 17, 2006)
• Highest individual score among Indian batsmen (186* against New Zealand at Hyderabad in 1999)
• Holds the record for scoring 1,000 ODI runs in a calendar year. He has done it six times - 1994, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2000 and 2003.
• In 1998 he made 1,894 ODI runs, still the record for ODI runs by any batsman in any given calendar year.
• In 1998 he hit 9 ODI centuries, the highest by any player in an year.

World Cup

• Most runs (1732 at an average of 59.72) in World Cup Cricket History
• Player Of The Tournament in the 2003 Cricket World Cup.
• 673 runs in 2003 World Cup, highest by any one in a single Cricket World Cup

ODI

Highlights of Tendulkar's ODI career include:

• Played more matches than any other cricketer
• Most Man of the Match (50) awards
• Appeared on the most grounds (89 different grounds)
• Most runs (14,146 as of 15th February, 2006)
• Most centuries (39)
• Most centuries vs. Australia, South Africa, New Zealand, Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe.
• First cricketer to cross 10,000-run mark in ODIs
• Only cricketer to cross 14,000-run mark in ODIs
• Only player to have over 100 innings of 50+ runs as of February, 2006
• Over 100 wickets (141 as of 15th February, 2006)
• Highest batting average among batsmen with over 10,000 ODI runs (as of March 17, 2006)
• Highest individual score among Indian batsmen (186* against New Zealand at Hyderabad in 1999)
• Holds the record for scoring 1,000 ODI runs in a calendar year. He has done it six times - 1994, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2000 and 2003.
• In 1998 he made 1,894 ODI runs, still the record for ODI runs by any batsman in any given calendar year.
• In 1998 he hit 9 ODI centuries, the highest by any player in an year.

World Cup

• Most runs (1732 at an average of 59.72) in World Cup Cricket History
• Player Of The Tournament in the 2003 Cricket World Cup.
• 673 runs in 2003 World Cup, highest by any one in a single Cricket World Cup

Performance against Pakistan

Tendulkar has often been criticised about his performance against India's arch-rivals, Pakistan. India-Pakistan matches are often the most tense matches and their rivalry is considered to bring out the best in players from both sides.

In the 16 Tests he has played against Pakistan, Tendulkar has scored 918 runs at an average of 39.91 compared to his overall test batting average of 55.39. His top score in a Test match against Pakistan is 194 compared to his overall top score of 248.

In the ODI version of game, Tendulkar does better against Pakistan. In the 61 matches played, Tendulkar has scored 2122 and averages 38.58 compared to his overall ODI Batting average of 44.20.

Criticism and recent performance

The case against Sachin Tendulkar's recent performances was summed up by Wisden Cricketers' Almanack in its 2005 edition: "Apart from a glorious, nothing-to-lose 55 against Australia on a Mumbai terrortrack, watching Tendulkar became a colder experience: after his humbling 2003, he seemed to reject his bewitching fusion of majesty and human frailty in favour of a mechanical, robotic accumulation."

The criticism must be seen against the backdrop of Tendulkar's performance through the years 1994-1999, coinciding with his physical peak, at age 20 through 25. Tendulkar was told to open the batting at Auckland against New Zealand in 1994 . He went on to make 82 runs off 49 balls. This was the beginning of a glorious period, culminating in the Australian tour of 1998-1999, following which Australian spinner Shane Warne ruefully joked that he was having nightmares about his Indian nemesis.

A chronic back problem flared up when Pakistan toured India in 1999, with India losing the historic Test at Chepauk despite a gritty century from Tendulkar himself. Worse was to come as Professor Ramesh Tendulkar, Sachin's father, died in the middle of the 1999 cricket World Cup. Tendulkar, succeeding Mohammad Azharuddin as captain, then led India on a tour of Australia, where the visitors were comprehensively beaten 3-0 by the newly-crowned world champions. Tendulkar resigned, and Sourav Ganguly took over as captain in 2000.

Tendulkar made 673 runs in 11 matches in the 2003 World Cup, helping India reach the finals. While Australia retained the trophy that it had won in 1999, Tendulkar was given the Man of the Series award.

The drawn series as India toured Australia in 2003-2004 saw Tendulkar making his mark in the last Test of the series, with a double century in Sydney. The series was tied 1-1, with Rahul Dravid taking the Man of the Series award.

Tennis elbow then took its toll on Tendulkar, leaving him out of the side for the first two Tests when Australia toured India in 2005. He played a part in the facesaving Indian victory in Mumbai, though Australia had already taken the series 2-1, with the Chennai Test drawn.

Of late, as Wisden noted, Tendulkar has not been his old aggressive self. Expert opinion is divided on whether this is due to his increasing years or the lingering after-effects of injuries over 17 years at the highest level. On 10 December, 2005, at Feroz Shah Kotla, he delighted fans with a record-breaking 35th Test century, against the Sri Lankans. But doubts were raised once again when he averaged a mere 21 over three Test innings when India toured Pakistan in 2006.

On 6 February 2006, Tendulkar scored his 39th ODI hundred, in a match against Pakistan. Tendulkar now has 16 more ODI tons than the man who is second on the list of ODI century-makers, Sourav Ganguly. He followed with a run-a-ball 42 in the second ODI against Pakistan on February 11, 2006, and then a truly masterly 95 in hostile conditions on 13 February, 2006 in Lahore.

On 19 March 2006, after scoring an unconvincing 1 off 21 balls against England in the first innings of the third Test in his home ground, Wankhede, Tendulkar was booed off the ground by a section of the crowd, the first time that he has ever faced such flak. While cheered on when he came for his second innings, Tendulkar was to end the three-Test series without a single half-century to his credit, and news of a shoulder operation raised more questions about his longevity. Geoffrey Boycott was brutal in his assessment: "Sachin Tendulkar is in the worst form of his career...Now that he's going to sit out for a further two months, I don't think he can ever come back to regain what he once had."

A suitable beginning - Tendulkar takes Qadir on

Electrifying passages revisits ten great passages of play that exemplify the intensity and passion of the rivalry between India and Pakistan ...

The official one-dayer had been abandoned because of bad light and a 20-over exhibition match organised instead. Pakistan put on 157 and India only got close thanks to an 18-ball 53 from a 16-year-old Sachin Tendulkar. One over from Abdul Qadir read: 6, 0, 4, 6 6 6. It announced Tendulkar to the world.

Abdul Qadir
The game was being played in the festive spirit. I had just bowled a maiden to Krishnamachari Srikkanth and I went to Sachin, who was the non-striker, and told him that when I bowled him the next over he shouldn't treat me as Abdul Qadir, but just as any other bowler from his galli or school, and go for his shots, as that would be good for his future. He was just a young boy then and I wanted to give him confidence.

He just smiled at me and didn't say anything. Next over when I came on to bowl to him, he stepped out to hit the first ball for six over long-off. He was dropped at midwicket later in that over as he tried for another big one, but he managed three more sixes. It wasn't like I was just feeding him: I was trying my best to get him out, but he was just so talented that he gave me no chance.

Sachin Tendulkar
When I came in to bat we needed 69 runs in five overs or so. I had a go at Mushtaq Ahmed who had taken two wickets and hit him for a couple of sixes. Qadir then came up to me said, "Bachchon ko kyon mar rahe ho? Hamein bhi maar dikhao" ("Why are you only hitting the kid? Hit me too.") Qadir was a great bowler and I was only playing my first series. I didn't say anything, but it fired me up. I took up the challenge and gave it a go. Ultimately we fell short only by four runs.

Krishnamachari Srikkanth
This innings was played at a time when nobody knew about Sachin and what he was capable of, so it was totally unexpected. Watching him from the other end, I was astonished at the kind of shots he played and especially the way he took on Qadir. It is unfortunate that that match isn't an official ODI, for it was one of the best innings I have seen.

Never another like Sachin

With a nudge to the on-side and a quick single, Sachin Tendulkar added to his legend
For many Indians, he remains the cherub-faced boy who refused to be bullied by the fearsome pace of Waqar Younis and Wasim Akram, and the guileful menace of Imran Khan. For others, the most pristine memory dates back to a meaningless 20-over hit-out in Peshawar, where a 16-year-old who was subjected to breast-feeding jibes launched Abdul Quadir's tossed-up offerings into orbit with impunity.

When the roses fade, they will also remember an innings at sydney in 1992, where he unveiled a near-perfect 148, an effort surpassed only by the resplendence of the subsequent masterpiece at Perth, where he stood on tiptoe - boy-man on hopelessly burnt and charred deck - to cut and drive Mike Whitney, the eventual matchwinner, and Merv Hughes with a fluency that suggested a childhood spent on that WACA trampoline.

Those innings embellished a legend that had its genesis on the dusty maidans of Mumbai school cricket, where he and his ebony-hued comrade, Vinod Kambli, had laid waste a string of run-scoring records. By the time Tendulkar was 15, Kapil Dev had bowled to him in the nets, while Sunil Gavaskar and Dilip Vengsarkar had already earmarked him for greatness.

As the years passed, more and more layers of delicate gold leaf - many against the all-conquering Australians - would add lustre to a cricketing deity quite unlike any seen before. But in a land noted for its idol worship, there was also a tendency to look for feet of clay. And in Tendulkar's case, that Perth innings was to set an unfortunate precedent, of glorious innings tarnished by the ineptitude of those around him. The 122 he made at Edgbaston in 1996, and the 169 at Cape Town a few months later were both works of genius fit to grace any triumphant canvas, but the colours faded because of the manner in which those around him capitulated.
That sad turn of events would be repeated at Melbourne in 1999, where he made 116, and most notably at Chennai a few months earlier where his 136 took India to the door jamb of victory, despite agonising back spasms restricting his mobility for much of the innings. However, a tail prone to self-evisceration ensured that his finest hour would instead be one of his darkest.
When the cynics and the doubters wish to denigrate the Tendulkar legacy, they can easily call upon the figures which tell you that only 11 of his 34 Test centuries have contributed to Indian wins. That conveniently ignores the fact that India's overseas record until the Wright-Ganguly era began - 13 of Tendulkar's 22 centuries till then had come away from home - was shameful enough to be compared to the hideously ugly sister you hid away so that even the frog-prince couldn't woo her.

Sunil Gavaskar, Tendulkar's predecessor as India's batting talisman, had scaled the 10,000-run peak in the hot, dusty and scarcely awe-inspiring environs of the Motera Stadium in Ahmedabad, whereas Tendulkar chose one of sport's great amphitheatres to plant his standard there. And now, that delicate late-cut off Ijaz Faqih, an integral part of Indian cricketing lore, is joined by a sweetly struck flick off Abdul Razzaq in that I-was-there kaleidoscope.
As time goes by and the old cavalier becomes a receding memory, the hum of criticism will intensify, with some unable to accept the slow fade to black. But as Muhammad Ali, the Greatest, once said, "Champions are made from something they have deep inside them -- a desire, a dream, a vision. They have to have last-minute stamina, they have to be a little faster, they have to have the skill and the will. But the will must be stronger than the skill."
In Tendulkar's case, that will has been his triumph, and it remains as unbending as ever. Jack Fingleton's appreciation of the peerless Victor Trumper was titled Never Another Like Victor, and sadly, it may only be when he's gone that many Indians will fathom just how special this diminutive genius was. As with any other mortal, there have been flaws and there is no need to gloss over them. But as a wise man once wrote of the inimitable George Best, "For the pleasure he has brought to millions, he could be forgiven a great deal."

Sachin Tendulkar felicitated

ANOTHER FEATHER IN HIS CAP: Sachin along with his wife Anjali during the function.

Batting maestro Sachin Tendulkar was on Tuesday felicitated on the International Wish Day as the `Celebrity Wish Granter of the Decade' for fulfilling the wishes of the largest number of children to meet him.
The function was organised by Make-a-Wish Foundation of India in association with The Walt Disney Company India Ltd. here to celebrate the International Wish Day on completion of a decade of fulfilling its mission in India.
The event was attended by Wish children, volunteers, supporters, Tendulkar's wife Anjali Tendulkar, former Indian teammate Ajay Jadeja, Bollywood actor Perizad Zorabian and Channel V VJ Gaurav.