Sachin Tendulkar's go-slow in the 2nd innings of the 3rd test spoke more of his stark present than his illustrious past. Numerous analysts blamed him for the loss, none defended his approach to batting. We all know how his performances infect the team. On that particular day, the team caught hold of his virus. I did not watch the inning, but I only had to picture it in my mind. Watching Tendulkar 'accumulate' runs in the past few seasons is a common, albeit frustrating, sight. A batsman who can't stretch enough to touch the pinnacle of his capabilities appears confused, both as batsman and team player, and half-hearted in his efforts. International sportsmen often encounter mid-career crises, when the fight between phasing out as a has-been and pushing on for greatness reaches its climax. But for Tendulkar to go through such a phase near the end of his career spells more cause for concern than is visible on the surface.
Tendulkar will be 34 in April, his 18th year in international cricket. Statistically, he has achieved all batting greatness there is. But the real story doesn't match that greatness, it speaks of something unaccomplished, incomplete. He must decide what he wants to do with the rest of his career, how he wants to sign off. And needs to do it now.
There seems little reason to Tendulkar playing the role of the anchor batsman. As has been suggested by analysts and cricket enthusiasts over and over again, he must play his natural game, unless it means 'accumulating' runs. Greg Chappell and Rahul Dravid seem to posses enough cricket brain and guts to let such a suggestion pass; they might even have offered the role to Tendulkar. There are others in the team who can fill in for that role. He needs to let go of his expectations, let go of his past achievements, let go of himself. Go out on that pitch and just bat!
There is work to be done, Mr. Tendulkar. A career to be replenished.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
4 comments:
I agree with you that Sachin has a career to be replenished.
But I do not agree that he should be playing how he was 7-8 years ago. I think 18 years in international cricket has taken its toll on his body.
What he needs to do is knuckle down and yes, I will use the term you hate, "Accumulate" runs. Maybe not exactly the way he did at Newlands, but in a more aggresive way. What we want to see is a Tendulkar who can change gears at will.
"The Natural Game" syndrome is a passe for Indian batsmen now, ask Mr. Sehwag.
But I totally agree with you, this is not how he should be playing.Accumelate and anchor innings, but at a faster rate as well. We all know, he still has it in him.
It's not so much HOW MANY runs he gets, but HOW he gets them. You're right that he has not been able to change gears, especially in ODI's, where it is highly vital for a top-order batsman. You'd think it comes easy after 18 years of international cricket. Strangely, it hasn't.
Of course, you can't compare the natural games of Tendulkar and Sehwag. While they are both attacking batsmen, the methods are poles apart. Even when Tendulkar was at his best (e.g. the last World Cup), we seldom saw him going after every ball. He could dominate the bowling without seeming to take any risks; that was the beauty about his batting. Sehwag's approach is different : see ball, hit ball. So I still stand where I was : Tendulkar must play his natural game.
Accumulating, replenishing..man these are tooo "pundity". Look at Lara, he plays as if there is no tomorrow. SRT has to learn from that and do something similar. See how he played in the last world cup? Now thats what he is made of.
Thanks for putting ur link on my comments page ... ;-)
Cheers
The Chuckster
http://beerchipsandcricket.blogspot.com
Post a Comment