Martin Crowe: "Sehwag will never surpass Tendulkar"

[Rajan]

http://www.cricketnirvana.com/columns/martin-crowe/2009/March/columns-20090311-7.html Sehwag is better than Gilchrist It was only fitting that the fastest century by an Indian belongs to Virender Sehwag. For it to happen tonight was only apt, because the fourth One-Day International belonged to Sehwag alone. Justice was done tonight and there was no other better sight than Sehwag in full flow. No one, apart from Adam Gilchrist, has shown more exuberance, power, timing and daring strokeplay than this guy in recent years. I think he is now a notch above Gilchrist, as a destructive match-winner at the top of the order. He is now very much in a class of his own and is easily the most destructive player in the game today. Given his innings in Test cricket, triple hundreds, exploits in T20s and obviously one-dayers he continues to defy really what batsmen have been trying to do for ages. No matter what New Zealand try and do, they just could not pin down the guy. The Black Caps could get better, but that’s not going to matter. This is a freak team, you can only sit back, enjoy and savour whatever they dish out. Such teams don’t come around too often. Last time such intimidation was felt was when the West Indies team of the early 1980s were around. You had Gordon Greenidge and Desmond Haynes who opened. Then you had Viv Richards, Richie Richardson and Clive Lloyd to follow. The next best team in the third spot would be the Australian side of recent times. What else can you say, tonight was like a man was playing a boy. Sehwag is at his absolute prime, at the peak of his mind, body and everything is kicking in for him very well. He will probably never play this well ever. It is in these two coming years that he will play at his best. Then things will start slowing down then as age will inevitably set in. He is enjoying the form of his life and it comes along in a player’s career between the age of 28-32. Having said that, Sehwag will never surpass Sachin Tendulkar. The great man’s legacy is in his records, his longevity of playing from age 16 to now 20 years on. He deserves a different kind of appreciation. Sehwag plays in a different sort vein than Tendulkar. Sehwag is outrageous in the way he bats, but Tendulkar is more thoughtful, measured and structured. Tendulkar has a genius touch which means he can chalk up more hundreds, average more and carry the hopes of his team longer. So make no mistake, Sehwag will never ever surpass Tendulkar. It’s because of Tendulkar that Sehwag plays in an outrageous manner. With Tendulkar at the other end or the thought of him coming in next, allows Dhoni and Gary Kirsten to tell Sehwag 'hey you go for it, don’t hold back, you have got the green light’. Then the blood starts to pump, there is no stopping the guy. But the big surprise was that Sehwag was taken out of the team for a year. The interesting thing is that Sehwag’s ODI average is 33, it’s only average, but he strikes at 100. You know he is showing in the last year or so that he has become a very consistent intimidator. The best part is he is the same player who scored two hundreds on the last tour when others failed, but he has become more mature now. He is a bit more consistent now, he is a leader now and senses his responsibility. The double hundred in ODI's is going to happen one day and the odds are that he would be at the top of the list. It could happen at Eden Park because the ground is small enough. The way India has been going it looks like India would go past 400 and someone’s going to post 200.India would most likely have score over 400 in tonight’s game if they had batted first. With one more game to go, the stage looks set for the Test matches. If the sun comes out, the pitches should be good. Especially the Test here at Hamilton and also Napier would be very big scoring.Sehwag could well be in line for a 400 in the Test matches as well. He’s got to 300 twice and now he is at the peak of his powers, concentrates and scores at a rate that is possible. There maybe some talk about Gautam Gambhir getting to open in one-day cricket with Sehwag, but Sachin gets the call. That’s got to be Sachin’s prerogative and that is the end of the story. He has the right to say and play where he wants. Gambhir will just have to bide his time. Tendulkar will play for two more years till the 2011 World Cup, but Gambhir will play for ten more, so he has time on his hand. For NZ confidence is down, we are ranked bottom in the world (I don't count Bangladesh), we don’t have the ability to take twenty wickets in test matches, and score test centuries on a regular basis. We need to be realistic and look to improve on every session we play. That’s all you can ask for from anyone. One thing about the Black Caps we saw tonight is that they still don’t know how to play spin bowling. Yuvraj and Yusuf’s spells was an example how we are still inexperienced and underskilled in those areas. In the Test matches, Harbhajan or Amit Mishra will have an impact if Zaheer and Ishant don’t, which I am sure they will. One thing about the Indians though is their fielding which needs to be improved upon. They are still, at times, the worst fielding team going around. If they are going to be unbeatable that’s one area they can focus on, including Dhoni.But at the moment it’s no big deal. ------------------------ Ok, i just tweaked the title, lifted from his comments in side the article to spice it up! Any way, I am happy that Sehwag and Sachin play for India! Not taking away anything from Sehwag or Sachin, some how i liked the article. despite the fact that he is aware of his target audience and their love for Sachin, I always felt that Martin is pretty straight forward in telling what he thinhs of any one. even when India lost the last series there, he was always mentioning-" Dravid is your 5 for 1 man, sachin is 10- for 2 man"! I had read about this guy refusing to leave the wicket after unfairly given out while playing against SL , he stood rather sat his ground, the fielding captain agreed and let him continue, he ended up scoring a hundred, after he was allowed to continue from 30 odd if i am correct.

[Dirty_South]

Sachin is Sachin. NOBODY can ever be like him ! Veeru is Demi-god :icflove:

[DomainK]

Even Sehwag wont like to see himself rated above Sachin.

[Rajan]

Even Sehwag wont like to see himself rated above Sachin.

yes, he has always referred Sachin's name very reverentially. for that matter Yuvi, Dhoni and other yougsters like Rohit/Raina too. Respect earned, not just yearned!

[zubinpepsi]

these r all ok.. but im wondering how our fielding fell apart.. how did we become so pathetic in the fielding dept.. wtf robin singh doing???

[Rajan]

the conditions are a bit windy there in NZ. High balls are difficult to catch. the flood Lights are also not up to scratch. i have watched Azhar of all the people drop sitters and Majrekar too drop easy catches in an one dayer way back in 1990's. hope they do better from next match onwards. Robin cant catch for these fielders, they have to implement what they r trained to achieve in practice..

[Anakin]

I've seen Yusuf dropping some catches in T20s too, and Dhoni's having a bad patch as far as keeping is concerned. The ground fielding has been poor as well. These guys may be are getting too confident and pleased with their batting.

[Shane]

these r all ok.. but im wondering how our fielding fell apart.. how did we become so pathetic in the fielding dept.. wtf robin singh doing???

Its suprizing, does the wind have to play a part, coz the conditions were quite windy, and two similar outfield chances being grasped, doesnt seem like a mere coincidence to me !!!

[Anakin]

BTW, good read

[Lurker]

Ok, i just tweaked the title, lifted from his comments in side the article to spice it up! Any way, I am happy that Sehwag and Sachin play for India! Not taking away anything from Sehwag or Sachin, some how i liked the article. despite the fact that he is aware of his target audience and their love for Sachin, I always felt that Martin is pretty straight forward in telling what he thinhs of any one. even when India lost the last series there, he was always mentioning-" Dravid is your 5 for 1 man, sachin is 10- for 2 man"! I had read about this guy refusing to leave the wicket after unfairly given out while playing against SL , he stood rather sat his ground, the fielding captain agreed and let him continue, he ended up scoring a hundred, after he was allowed to continue from 30 odd if i am correct.

You did, didnt you? In my opinion the title took away the focus from what in my opinion was the most complimentary thing about India, this team is ranked as no 2 of all times and much ahead of Aussies who have won last 3 world cups. While that comment is subjective and I am sure many non-Indians will have issues with it but even the critics will rate this team as one of the best, certainly one of the top 3 in terms of sheer agression. Overall a pretty good article, specially if you are an Indian fan :winky:

[Ram]

Of course Sehwag can never be better than Tendulkar. Infact, no one can be. He's his only peer. Coming to the article, it just goes to show the kind of reputation the team has built around itself. We're not just winning, we're winning comfortably, and teams and players around the world are taking note of that. They took note when Flintoff says that 'it would be nice if the English players can also participate in the IPL because it will help them to improve their LOI cricket, as seen in the Indians...'.. They took note when Murali says 'I dont know too much about rankings and stuff, but India is the best team in the world'.. They took note when Kiwi coach Andy Moles and Ross Taylor called us 'the best team in the world' before the series began. Now, they will take note when Crowe says 'this is a freak team, all you can do is sit back and enjoy'. All Champion teams have an aura about them. Ours is just about developing, NOW. :isalute:

[Chandan]

You did, didnt you? In my opinion the title took away the focus from what in my opinion was the most complimentary thing about India, this team is ranked as no 2 of all times and much ahead of Aussies who have won last 3 world cups. While that comment is subjective and I am sure many non-Indians will have issues with it but even the critics will rate this team as one of the best, certainly one of the top 3 in terms of sheer agression. Overall a pretty good article, specially if you are an Indian fan :winky:

Only batting wise Lurker, and that too against some ordinary bowlers on utterly flat decks. You think this team is on par with Ricky Ponting's team that won the WC 2003 or the WI team that won the first two WCs? I don't think so. The bowlers are nowhere as good, fielding isn't anywhere near to being as sharp and I still suspect the performance of our batsmen on tough pitches.

[Shane]

Of course Sehwag can never be better than Tendulkar. Infact, no one can be. He's his only peer. Coming to the article, it just goes to show the kind of reputation the team has built around itself. We're not just winning, we're winning comfortably, and teams and players around the world are taking note of that. They took note when Flintoff says that 'it would be nice if the English players can also participate in the IPL because it will help them to improve their LOI cricket, as seen in the Indians...'.. They took note when Murali says 'I dont know too much about rankings and stuff, but India is the best team in the world'.. They took note when Kiwi coach Andy Moles and Ross Taylor called us 'the best team in the world' before the series began. Now, they will take note when Crowe says 'this is a freak team, all you can do is sit back and enjoy'. All Champion teams have an aura about them. Ours is just about developing, NOW. :isalute:

Sirjee :nice:

[Zap_Brannigan]

The next time someone averages 45 playing over 400.......nah make it 300 matches, then we can dare to compare him with sachin. Tll then, Sachin is peerless

[Lurker]

Only batting wise Lurker, and that too against some ordinary bowlers on utterly flat decks. You think this team is on par with Ricky Ponting's team that won the WC 2003 or the WI team that won the first two WCs? I don't think so. The bowlers are nowhere as good, fielding isn't anywhere near to being as sharp and I still suspect the performance of our batsmen on tough pitches.

Chandan, Limited over cricket is a batsman's game. To suggest a team is the 2nd best batting side in the format in the history is still very flattering. Is this team at par with Ponting's WC 2003? Not yet. I am not even sure if this team is as good as Indian LOI team in mid 80s who had a much varied bowling attach, an exceptional all rounder, a batting lineup that went till number10 and a very good fielding side. Plus of course the mid 80s team have medallions to show for which the current team does not. However I would also say that even in mid 80s when India was winning Cups the team was never thought of as a firm favorite. A good contender yes but favorites no. This team is not only considered a favorite but also the manner in which it plays cricket totally dismantles the opposition. So yes credit where its due. xxx

[punjabi_khota]

Only batting wise Lurker, and that too against some ordinary bowlers on utterly flat decks. You think this team is on par with Ricky Ponting's team that won the WC 2003 or the WI team that won the first two WCs? I don't think so. The bowlers are nowhere as good, fielding isn't anywhere near to being as sharp and I still suspect the performance of our batsmen on tough pitches.

They can only play on the surfaces they are given. We won in CB series in Australia, didn't we, playing all over Australia ? If there atr not going to be more than 2-3 tough pitches in the world, how does that skill even matter ? I know we are talking about the ODI team here, but we won the test in Perth, and the everyone started saying it was not as 'tough' a ptich as it was in the old times. We won the test series in England, where the ball swings the most, and even then we some people were saying we are FTBs.

[Chandan]

They can only play on the surfaces they are given. We won in CB series in Australia, didn't we, playing all over Australia ? If there atr not going to be more than 2-3 tough pitches in the world, how does that skill even matter ? I know we are talking about the ODI team here, but we won the test in Perth, and the everyone started saying it was not as 'tough' a ptich as it was in the old times. We won the test series in England, where the ball swings the most, and even then we some people were saying we are FTBs.

P_K, That skill doesn't matter much these days. But how can one say that they are a better team if they are untested in such conditions? We played a T20 against SA on a seaming track and our young batsmen performed well in that. I hope we do likewise in ODI too but one just can't say with surety until we pass the test to be compared with the best in the history of cricket, not just with present cricket teams. BTW, we won the tests in England and lost the ODI series there. We also lost the ODI series in WI and SA. So hope we rectify those before calling ourselves one of the top three teams in the history of cricket.

[suraj]

"For NZ confidence is down, we are ranked bottom in the world (I don't count Bangladesh), we don’t have the ability to take twenty wickets in test matches, and score test centuries on a regular basis." :giggle::giggle:

[graphic23]

P_K, That skill doesn't matter much these days. But how can one say that they are a better team if they are untested in such conditions? We played a T20 against SA on a seaming track and our young batsmen performed well in that. I hope we do likewise in ODI too but one just can't say with surety until we pass the test to be compared with the best in the history of cricket, not just with present cricket teams. BTW, we won the tests in England and lost the ODI series there. We also lost the ODI series in WI and SA. So hope we rectify those before calling ourselves one of the top three teams in the history of cricket.

I just don't see that as a benchmark to judge the present XI. For one, our bowling attack was Ramesh Powar (who's an excellent spin bowler but his fielding skills leave a lot to be desired), Chawla, Ajit Agarkar (the perpetual selection for an Indian allrounder), Zaheer, RP, and Munaf (with some subbing in-and-out of the team). We didn't not have Sehwag in that team, or Raina. We had Dravid (to his credit, he played very well in that series). Then we had Ganguly. And Karthik. That team would struggle to beat most teams today. There's no firepower anywhere. 300+ was considered an enormous score for that team. We have an awesome captain-wk, who averages nearly 50 (:omg: ), a middle order that will clear any ground, and most importantly, a bowling attack that can take wickets on any sort of pitch. Ishant can bowl according to the situation and is pretty disciplined in terms of lines and lengths, and Praveen has been a huge success because he can swing the ball both ways and vary his pace between 120-135 kmph. Agarkar would bowl 30 of his 60 balls as short and wide, and the other 24 as half-volleys, and then wouldn't bowl the last 6 because he's already given away nearly 60-70 runs! Not to mention the fielding has gone up (though the present series might contradict with that idea). I think if we were to play today at WI or at Eng, it'd take a really brave (or a really stupid) person to bet against India winning those matches. Only in SA, it is an unknown prospect but I'd still back India.

[suraj]

Sehwag is more explosive than Sachin. Sachin still the best overall!!!