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Hadlee’s compliment a pleasant surprise: Tendulkar

Wellington: Rated the greatest batsman ever by legendary all-rounder Richard Hadlee, star Indian cricketer Sachin Tendulkar said the accolade was a pleasant surprise for him, coming from a player of such unquestionable credentials.

Hadlee recently rated Tendulkar even higher than Don Bradman, considering the Indian’s staggering success in both the long and short formats of the game.

Tendulkar said it was a rare honour, especially coming from Hadlee, one of the greatest all-rounders to have played the game.

“Nobody has ever said that before. I am happy and satisfied,” an elated Tendulkar said. “This comes as a pleasant surprise and it comes from a personality whose credentials cannot be questioned. I am happy that I played with him on my first tour to New Zealand in 1989,” said Tendulkar.

Cherished moment

Tendulkar recalled his first encounter with the star Kiwi player and said, “I also cherish that memory. I still remember one moment after the Napier Test. He was giving an interview on television in which I found he made his debut in 1973. I was born in the same year, which means when he made his debut in Tests, I was just born. Yet I got the opportunity to play against him.”

Even the ongoing tour, in which India won the ODI series and is on the verge of clinching the Test rubber as well, has been memorable for him, said Tendulkar.

“This is really a memorable tour for me. We won the series and got an excellent accolade from Sir Richard Hadlee,” he added.

Special squad

Tendulkar had no doubt that the squad under Mahendra Singh Dhoni is a “special” side which was winning regularly abroad.

“No doubt, it’s a special team. The most important factor of the team is that we are winning matches regularly in foreign countries”, he said. “Previously we won only at home. Now we have started winning in Australia, West Indies, England, South Africa, Pakistan, almost in every country,” Tendulkar said. — PTI

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