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Tendulkar confirms enduring stature

Not so long ago he was regarded as past his prime
Constancy counts amongst his virtues
Tendulkar has played majestically against the strongest team around, writes Peter Roebuck

Sachin Tendulkar’s display in Adelaide confirmed his enduring stature. Not so long ago he was regarded as past his prime, a thoroughbred turned into a hack.

His nerve had failed, the argument ran, and his wits had deserted him. He was accused of playing for himself in an attempt to prolong his career. He has always been judged by higher standards than anyone else, as if he had five legs, a bat as wide as a road and a mind full of megabytes. Others may have strengths and weaknesses, but from Sachin it was not permitted.

Sceptical statisticians

Mostly these points were raised in his own country where familiarity had bred judgement. It is odd that the Indian intelligentsia has been so reluctant to grant Tendulkar his humanity. Often the statisticians are likewise sceptical, pointing out that he averages only 18 or so in the second innings against Australia, a failing to be sure, an indication of some frailty, an inability to respond to the moment, but hardly condemnatory of his entire contribution.

Critics observe that he has not won enough matches for his team even as they extol his want of ego, his sense of service, seemingly unaware that it is hard to have it both ways. He only has two arms and one head. Constancy counts amongst his virtues.

Tendulkar is a batsman of conception and not competition. It is true that he has never quite found the inner peace that comes upon champions when the fires of competition burn hottest.

Champion

Viv Richards was different. “Take me to Lord’s” he’d roar in quarterfinals. Upon reaching HQ he’d soar, reaching a supreme level of batsmanship. Tendulkar is not like that. He goes flat out from the first round. A man must be taken as a whole.

Was Richards so perfect? Were Warne or Lara so infallible that India must swap them?

Indian commentators down under are puzzled by the evident love affair between their greatest batsman and the Australian public. Apparently several reporters have been asked to examine the phenomenon. To them it is a paradox that in the land of cricketing brutality, their most productive batsman is so widely admired. Yet the question is absurd. Australia is right. Amongst contemporaries, Tendulkar stands apart.

Throughout his career he has been sporting, respectful, determined, humble and brave. It is not a bad combination. Australia grants him his mortality. Aussies are bemused that Tendulkar’s countrymen have reservations about him. Did they want a machine? Or a God?

Clear intent

Of course it helps that Tendulkar has played so majestically against the strongest team around.

He has scored hundreds as a daring boy, a premature captain, a struggling champion and now as a supposed veteran. And always he has been the same. His bat has been broad, his brain has been alert, his sportsmanship has been unfailing, his method has been correct and his intent has been clear.

Blessed with a little more luck Tendulkar might have scored even more heavily against the most grudging team in the world.

Doubtless he has been inspired by the receptions he has been given whenever he walks to the crease in this supposedly inhospitable land. The acclaim given to Tendulkar shows both parties in a good light. The Indian’s sense of fair play, flawless game, refusal to complain and modesty have impressed locals. Likewise Australia’s warmth towards an Indian batsman has surprised outsiders inclined to dismiss the nation as irredeemably objectionable. But Australia can be won over. Over the years it has become accomplished at separating the sheep from the goats.

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