Use quick bash to boost Tests, says Little Master

[Desi Cartman]

SACHIN Tendulkar is sitting in a London hotel wrestling with the issue of Twenty20 cricket's place in his sport. It is a debate that occupies the minds of many, but few have reached conclusions as elegant as the Little Master's. "Twenty20 is like dessert," he explains. "It tastes good but you can't fill up your stomach with it. You have to have a main course, and that's Test cricket. I couldn't survive without the main course." Warming to his theme, he takes us back to the Sydney Cricket Ground in January 2004 and the fourth Test of a series when, unusually, he was struggling against the Australians. Annoyed at himself after a run of cheap dismissals going for big shots, he resolved to cut out the cover drive completely -- akin to telling David Beckham that he could not use his right boot -- and to hang in there doggedly. He amassed 241 not out but it was not the runs that made this one of the most rewarding innings of his career so much as the qualities he had found within himself -- perseverance, stamina, concentration, discipline -- in batting for 10 hours and 13 minutes with barely a loose shot. "You learn so much when you have to figure things out for yourself," he said. "It was about setting myself a challenge and having the discipline to see it through. "It's why, from a cricketer's point of view, Test cricket will always be No1. In Test cricket the bowler is always trying to get you out and you have to be on top of your game for five days. You have to be at your best and sustain it. "Twenty20, you might never have heard of a guy then he swings around for 20, 30 minutes and he has done wonders for his side. It's easier to be successful." These are not the thoughts of an arch traditionalist who does not see, or want to see, the qualities of Twenty20. Tendulkar, 36, may have resolved not to play Twenty20 for India in order to give his body some respite, but he is captain of Mumbai in the Indian Premier League. And he does not have to look beyond his own family to see how the short form is taking hold. His son, Arjun, 9, is gripped by the short game's bish-bash-wallop. "My son already loved cricket but Twenty20 has taken it further," he said. "It's not really the music or clothing, it's the number of sixes. He just wants to go out and smash it. That's what excites him." Tendulkar sees that Twenty20 can spread the game's appeal and he talks about it pushing back the frontiers. "I would like to take it to new nations, perhaps America," he says. "It won't happen tomorrow but let's try. "For so many years we've had audiences who didn't bother to watch the result, never mind watch the game. Now this has captured the imagination all across the world, even in non-cricket-playing nations. This format has regenerated interest." But, and here is the important part, Tendulkar wants to make sure the Test format benefits from this growth. He says cricket's authorities have to be creative -- and proactive -- in introducing Test cricket to the next generation. "Someone said that the first sensation of cricket, walking inside the stadium, will stay with you for ever. It was definitely that way with me. I remember walking in the Wankhede Stadium when I was 10, the West Indies playing in Mumbai. "It was fabulous. I couldn't imagine how the ground would be, so packed with people, full of noise. I couldn't imagine how fast the ball was flying. (Sunil) Gavaskar and Vivian Richards, my heroes there, too. It was a special sight. On TV you can't get that feeling. "Mostly children will see Twenty20 on television, so it is a real challenge educating them, allowing them to understand the different forms. "All the Test grounds, maybe they should clear 300 or 400 seats for schoolchildren so that they can come and watch. They are the ones who will fill the stands in the future, so give them a taste of Test cricket and it will be in their minds forever." This is all a marked contrast to the recent comments of Chris Gayle, the West Indies captain, who proclaimed that he "wouldn't be so sad if Test cricket died out". Tendulkar says Gayle "can have his opinion, he's a nice guy" -- but only because he is far too polite to disagree openly. It is the one-day game that will be squeezed by Twenty20's growth, but that does not stop Tendulkar saying victory in the 50-over World Cup is the overriding ambition before he concludes a career in which he has amassed a record 12,773 Test runs at an average of 54.58. He has competed in five World Cups, reaching one final in 2003, when India lost heavily to Australia. Most recently, in 2007, came the embarrassment of defeat by Bangladesh. Tendulkar was 10 when India won its only World Cup, in 1983 at Lord's. "I watched the final at my friend's place," he says. "My friends who were much older were celebrating, jumping around. I joined in but I was clueless about what was happening. "That is when I started taking cricket seriously. Until then it was fun messing about with a tennis ball. I saw from those celebrations that cricket can change the mood of the entire nation. That is why it is my dream." The fact that the 2011 final is scheduled for the Wankhede Stadium in Tendulkar's home city may not be insignificant. It would be some climax to a career that has brought only admiration and acclaim.

The Australian.com.au This is how articles should be written .. not like TOI or cricketnext :banghead:

[flamy]

he fact that the 2011 final is scheduled for the Wankhede Stadium in Tendulkar's home city may not be insignificant. It would be some climax to a career that has brought only admiration and acclaim.

:woot:

[DomainK]

"Twenty20 is like dessert' date='" he explains. "It tastes good but you can't fill up your stomach with it. You have to have a main course, and that's Test cricket. I couldn't survive without the main course."[/quote'] Well said.:two_thumbs_up:

[Max_Cady]

this is how he must retire winning world cup 2011 in front of home crowd @ wankhede no better send off for da gr8est cricketer ever

[DomainK]

this is how he must retire winning world cup 2011 in front of home crowd @ wankhede no better send off for da gr8est cricketer ever

:dance::dance::eyedance:

[bharat297]

Well said Maestro, well said!!!

[Jai Ho]

we need Sachin for at least another 10 years. :cantstop:

[flamy]

we need Sachin for at least another 10 years. :cantstop:

:cantstop::cantstop:

[bharat297]

I hope Sachin can stay involved in the Indian team even after he retires. It would be good if guys like him were around to guide these younger players and help them focus on the right aspects of the game.

[DomainK]

we need Sachin for at least another 10 years. :cantstop:

We do!

[Desi Cartman]

He still loves cricket like a 14 year old boy & this is what makes him so special ...:icflove:

[Anakin]

Guys don't go OTT again

[veer]

we are hosting 2011 cup.. and hosts never win cups.. forget about it.. imagine the pressure on Indian team when they play this WC.. ahhh.. gonna break lot of hearts..

[Params7]

we are hosting 2011 cup.. and hosts never win cups.. forget about it.. imagine the pressure on Indian team when they play this WC.. ahhh.. gonna break lot of hearts..

Everything does happen for the first time. Pressure will be there though...a LOT of pressure.

[hari504504]

He'd make a great player-coach/Coach after Kirsten leaves us at some point..

[satishg]

we are hosting 2011 cup.. and hosts never win cups.. forget about it.. imagine the pressure on Indian team when they play this WC.. ahhh.. gonna break lot of hearts..

we are expecting a fairytale kinda finish for the great mans career..well if anyone in the world of sports deserves a fairytale kinda finish then it shd be none other than Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar..so let it happen..thathasthu :nervous: