The Hindu : Sport : Tendulkar must be left to his own devices

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Feb 04, 2005

Sport

Sport

Tendulkar must be left to his own devices

Foreigners are constantly amazed by the fury of the debate over Sachin Tendulkar. At times it is easy to forget that he is an experienced man with a stable family life as well as a prodigious run-scorer with a record number of international centuries to his name.

Not even his injury has stopped the wagging of the tongues, with commentators observing that he was fit to face Bangladesh but cannot rouse himself to meet the supposed might of Pakistan. Not that anyone watching Pakistan's performance in Australia could imagine their bowling to be strong enough to spread fear amongst the eunuchs of Karachi.

Since the issue of Tendulkar has once again been raised, the need arises to restate the case for the defence. Not that it is wrong to question the merits of India's most productive batsman. Quite enough bowing and suing for grace is performed by those eager to win favours or else overwhelmed by admiration that it is a relief to come across people prepared to argue that the emperor is not as well dressed as had been supposed.

The main debate about Tendulkar has concerned his approach at the crease. Several points need to be made. Firstly it is extraordinary that discussions of this sort concentrate entirely upon Tendulkar. Many colleagues and opponents wax and wane. Most batsmen are constantly searching for a better way yet their struggles are tolerated. Tendulkar is treated differently. He is regarded as public property, the very role he has tried so hard to avoid.

Forever young

It does not help that, like Michael Atherton, his face remains young so that he resembles a youth in need of guidance as opposed to a seasoned campaigner who has scored runs in every part of the cricketing globe. After persuading themselves that advice is required, observers are kind enough to provide it. In fact Tendulkar is a hardened professional capable of taking care of himself.

Tendulkar has been criticised for the care that has crept into his batting over the last few years. They want him to throw caution to the wind with the courage, daring and brilliance detected in his early years. Of course they are talking through their hats. Tendulkar is no longer the boy who dazzled the cricketing world. He has matured, accepted his responsibilities, experienced failure and worked out techniques to meet his current frame of mind. It is called growing up.

Comparisons with Viv Richards are inconclusive. The West Indian was a great player for a few years and then went into a long period of slow decline. His record from 1983 onwards does not bear close examination, especially since he was not obliged to face his own bowling. Richards' problem was that he tried to remain forever young, ignoring the fact that his footwork had slowed and that an older player's spirit becomes more reflective.

Most batsmen become more careful as they age because they understand the perils that lie ahead. Ricky Ponting is not the same batsman in 2005 as he was in 2001. His recent double-centuries against the Indian tourists were masterpieces of early domination and ruthless collection.

Matthew Hayden has also slowed down. Older batsmen do not throw their wickets away when the hard work has been done. They do not enjoy sitting in the pavilion cursing themselves for squandering an opportunity. It is human nature. And Tendulkar is made of flesh and blood.

Most of the fast scoring batsmen are all-rounders like Adam Gilchrist, Andrew Flintoff and Ian Botham, or audacious newcomers like Virender Sehwag and Michael Clarke, players with less to worry about or unfamiliar with doubt. Justin Langer is an exception because he has moved from defence to attack. Otherwise he could not survive in this Australia side.

Efficient fighting forces

Steve Waugh and many other specialist batsmen reduce risks as their careers move along. They refine their games, reject danger, turn themselves into efficient fighting forces. Any other course of action renders the brain redundant. Waugh is an interesting case because in his last summer he restored the attacking strokes that had been put into the cupboard. If he was going down, it was to be with guns blazing.

Tendulkar's career is following a path frequently trodden. Another consideration applies in his case. After 17 years of service, and with a nation agog at his every utterance, excited by his every appearance, he must be worn out. A few weeks holiday are not enough to recover from exhaustion of the spirit.

Tendulkar has batted so many times for his country under so much pressure that it must have taken a toll. Don Bradman, the only other cricketer to have lived with such expectations, was ill for long periods of his cricketing life and once almost died. In retirement he lived to a ripe old age.

In my opinion Tendulkar ought to be left to his own devices. All the evidence indicates that he will work out the best way forward. But it must be worth whispering in his ear that Brian Lara has been batting brilliantly and has moved past him as the best batsman of this generation. Not that Lara's career has been without its flaws. India has risen in Tendulkar's time whilst the West Indies has fallen back in the last decade.

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