Sachin Tendulkar is the oldest Indian cricketer to have won the World Cup, lifting the trophy at the fag end of a glorious career in 2011. His record in the showpiece event is staggering, having amassed more runs and centuries than any other batsman. But despite his glorious record in tournament after tournament, it finally required a complete team effort for Tendulkar’s dream to come true.
Having won the coveted trophy in his first attempt itself,Virat Kohli does not have the baggage that Tendulkar had, but he would want towin again, this time as the premier batsman and captain of the team. Kohli toowould need the support of his teammates to help India win their third globalcrown, feels Sachin Tendulkar.
“I think you will always have a couple of individualsstepping up every game but without team support, you can’t do much. Justbecause of one individual, you can’t win a tournament. No way. Unless, otherschip in at every crucial stage. If that doesn’t happen, there will bedisappointment,” Tendulkar told PTI in an interview when asked if Kohli willcarry the same burden like he did, specifically during the 1996, 1999 and 2003editions.
Tendulkar is hardly worried that India doesn’t have asettled No. 4, saying the slot can be kept flexible as per requirement andmatch situation.
“I think we have batsmen, who can do the job. Number four isjust a number and it can be adjusted. I particularly don’t see No 4 as aproblem. Our boys have played enough cricket to know their roles whether it isNo 4, 6 or 8. Situational awareness is the key,” the world’s highest run-getterin Tests and ODIs said.
However, Tendulkar is not entirely happy with how thebalance of ODIs is skewed towards batsmen, taking bowlers out of equation inwhite ball cricket with every passing day.
“It’s become one sided with introduction of two new ballsand flat pitches have made lives of bowlers much more difficult. One team isscoring 350 and the other is chasing down inside 45 overs,” Tendulkar said inreference to the recent England versus Pakistan series where bowlers had anightmarish time.
What Tendulkar finds even more disappointing is that reverseswing had been taken out of equation with two new balls.”The ball is staying hard. I mean when was thelast time you saw reverse swing in ODIs?” questioned the iconic batsman.