The Hindu : Back to where it all began

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Mar 28, 2004

Sport

Sport - Cricket

Back to where it all began

By Our Special Correspondent

MULTAN, MARCH 27. After an eventful journey of heady successes and glory, Sachin Tendulkar, who began his Test career as a 16-year-old in Pakistan in 1989, is back to where it all began.

The batting maestro, speaking during the Indian cricketers' session with the media at the team hotel here on Friday night, was excited at the prospect of playing Test cricket in Pakistan again. In 1989, Tendulkar faced off against a pace attack comprising Imran Khan, Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis. He remembered that combination.

"I think that attack was different. It was an exceptional attack. Nobody becomes a legend overnight. Imran Khan did not become a legend in two years. He played nearly 20 years."

About the present Pakistani bowling line-up, he said, "Shoiab has played for five to six years, so he is an experienced campaigner. He is backed by Sami and Shabbir. Saqlain Mushtaq has been around for a long while now. It is a blend of youth and experience."

Tendulkar admitted that a cricketing duel with Pakistan is different.

"To be honest, it is a little more than playing anyone else. The atmosphere changes around you. You start getting calls from your well-wishers and friends all of a sudden and they start talking about India and Pakistan. But eventually, I would say that it is just cricket. Obviously the pressure is a little more here because the expectations from the people are high."

About his fine catch at long-on to dismiss Inzamam-ul-Haq in the series deciding ODI at the Gaddafi Stadium, Tendulkar said, "In the previous game, he had played a lofted shot that had gone over the boundary. He tried it again, but I had positioned myself well. I somehow was aware that the ball would come to me. Yes, I was excited." The Mumbai cricketer attributed India's ODI series triumph in Pakistan to "a collective effort.''

Tendulkar said he is often misunderstood because he is reserved by nature and loves to spend time with his family. The former India captain said he had no qualms about approaching anybody for help during a rough patch and revealed that he had consulted V.V.S. Laxman on technique during the Australian tour.

Among the younger Indian bowlers, Tendulkar singled out left-arm pacer Irfan Pathan, who, he said, might be expensive on occasions in his quest for wickets, but has the knack of achieving breakthroughs.

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