Tendulkar concentrating on height

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The master batsman is working on tackling balls pitched outside the off-stump before the match against Australia on Sunday. More... So far Sachin Tendulkar [images] has a modest run in the CB tri-series and the master batsman is working on tackling balls pitched outside the off-stump before the match against Australia on Sunday. Tendulkar has scored 10, 35, 44 and 32 in his four innings and at least on three occasions he has let go an opportunity to construct a major innings in the middle. * Team India's trainer King to quit As he chose to skip an indoor session for a change and strode out to the outdoor nets, surrounded by mediamen and fans, his advice to his "net" bowler, fielding coach Robin Singh, was as always specific: "Bowl on and around the off-stump". Tendulkar is aware that the Australians would not be bowling him much on his pads. The home bowlers, as everyone else, are aware of his strength on his onside which could become an overwhelming factor in Adelaide where the square boundaries are noticeably shorter. One Australian bowler who is a master of the off-stump line attack is Stuart Clark. As in the Test series, Tendulkar appeared to have conducted a particular practice session keeping the tall New South Wales fast bowler in mind. Time and again, Tendulkar would leave the balls marginally pitched outside the off-stump as he tried to perfect his judgement on which deliveries to play and which to leave. * Yuvraj desperate to regain form His instruction to Robin was to bowl him deliveries which gain height on the off-stump. "Height, bowl me deliveries which gain height on the off-stump," said Tendulkar. One-day skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni [images] first waited for his turn to bat at the nets and then became enraptured enough to watch the little genius give a master class. The footwork, the high left elbow at the point of a stroke, were all displays of technical virtuosity. As Tendulkar's session lengthened, young Dinesh Karthik [images] ventured to ask how many overs it would have meant in the middle. "Eight or ten," was Tendulkar's gentle dismissal of the youngster's nudge to remind him of his overstay in the nets. History's longest serving one-day player, the one with most runs under his belt, most centuries, most fifties, Tendulkar has had a modest run in the tri-series so far. His four innings read 10, 35, 44 and 32 so far and on at least three occasions, he has let go an opportunity to build a major innings in the middle. * Tendulkar is still India's MVP Speculation on Tendulkar's one-day retirement has kept resurfacing since the tour of England [images] last summer. Neither his form nor any signs of dipping interest nor for that matter any fitness issue has warranted such a speculation but the word has kept whirling nevertheless. Since the twin tour of Ireland and England in the summer of 2007, Tendulkar has turned out in 27 matches, scored 1232 runs, got out six times in the 90s and is yet to add a three-figure score to his 41 centuries. He hasn't scored a one-day century for 33 games now, for over a year, a striking aberration in the game's most prolific scorer ever. So the interest -- and whispers -- on the great man continued and it was admitted with high humility by a member of the side, yet to get a game in the series. Suresh Raina, a highly-promising youngster, is still waiting for his first turn in the middle on this tour and one of the things he has done diligently is to watch Tendulkar from close quarters. * I am a better batsman now: Suresh Raina "It's a lesson to watch him from close quarters. The way he prepares, his shot selection, his technique is all a great lesson for us youngsters," admitted the Uttar Pradesh youngster. One of Tendulkar's biggest attribute is his ability to keep doubts at an arm's length and remain positive at all times -- a quality which Raina seems to be imbibing so early in his career. "I am positive at all times, I am striking the ball well in the nets and when my time comes, I am sure to succeed," said the talented southpaw who at the young age of 21, has already experienced the two extremes of playing for India and now cooling his heels for well over a year. Raina turned out in 35 games for India before his run of poor scores showed him the door last January. He didn't score a fifty in his last 17 one-day innings and stated that he is now toughened enough to make the best of opportunity which come his way. "I was left out of the team because I wasn't scoring runs. But I never stopped being positive and had a great run in domestic circuit. I am sure my time would come," stated Raina, a great attitude to have for a youngster as Indian team these days is populated with youngsters. One who is not so young yet has an infectious enthusiasm for the game, Tendulkar is doing a great service to youngsters just by his own example in the middle as well as the advice when he has to offer from his wealth of experience. His departure for the scene might mean one more vacant spot for a youngster in the team but his presence it seems at the moment has a better value for them.

[King]

This is what keeps Tendulkar going I guess, the constant learning notwithstanding he's been one of the best for ages. It must be tough to keep working in the nets on a daily basis. It's hard to motivate to get to the nets and work on specifics constantly. This is where Tendulkar scores over his contemporaries. Even Gavaskar towards the end of his career didn't take net sessions that sincerely. In fact from what I know Gavaskar detested from batting in the nets in the last couple or three years of his career. Similarly Lara wasn't too concerned about his nets sessions towards the end of his career.

[Anakin]

He's been in good touch even in this ODI series, looked good everytime, but can't seem to get big scores.

[siddhu]

This is what keeps Tendulkar going I guess' date=' the constant learning notwithstanding he's been one of the best for ages. It must be tough to keep working in the nets on a daily basis. It's hard to motivate to get to the nets and work on specifics constantly. This is where Tendulkar scores over his contemporaries. Even Gavaskar towards the end of his career didn't take net sessions that sincerely. In fact from what I know Gavaskar detested from batting in the nets in the last couple or three years of his career. Similarly Lara wasn't too concerned about his nets sessions towards the end of his career.[/quote'] I agree, and still surprising that even after 18 years of international cricket, he is this motivated. I guess he loves the sweet sound of ball hitting the middle.

[coverpoint]

just saw an innings of his on Z sports america from when he was 17. Boy he was good.

[msb1991]

His instruction to Robin was to bowl him deliveries which gain height on the off-stump.

Robin Singh bowling rising deliveries:hysterical:

[bharat297]

Id say Sachin is probably the hardest worker in the Indian Team.

[DomainK]

What a man. What a legend. What a batsman. What a player.

[Mr. Wicket]

Similarly Lara wasn't too concerned about his nets sessions towards the end of his career.

Lara was very rarely concernd about his net sessions once he got a certain level of fame. That's the difference between Lara and Tendulkar. Genius, and genius with dedication. Both have had dazzling highs, but Lara's career has been chequered with far more inconsistencies and bad patches than Tendulkar's.