There is no one like Tendulkar. He is the greatest: Kapil

[The Outsider]

It was never about criticism and run scoring - every sportsman has and will be subjected to it. I admire his batting as much as anyone, but as recently as the first test against South Africa I mentioned how he was not batting well in that particular test, despite being in such tremendous form over the last 2 years. What was wrong was all sorts of insinuations about him staying on for money, stats, forming mafias, stopping the growth of youngsters, hiding away from the battle on the field etc. This kind of nonsense was just plain wrong and does not fall within the purview of criticizing a player for his performance, specially one who has shown in commitment for so long and through so much.

[Holysmoke]

Lurker mian, see post#6 in this thread

[vvvslaxman]

Sunny is the worst when it comes to going OTT :cantstop: http://cricket-online.tv/sachin-tendulkar-175-vs-australia-hyderabad-2009/ Listen to him in the first video. Him and L Siva lol You will feel like putting a letter opener through your eye after listening to it.

[Guest Hiten.]

What was wrong was all sorts of insinuations about him staying on for money, stats, forming mafias, stopping the growth of youngsters, hiding away from the battle on the field etc. This kind of nonsense was just plain wrong and does not fall within the purview of criticizing a player for his performance, specially one who has shown in commitment for so long and through so much.

Well said. No one is above criticism and not even SRT, no denying in that. But if you are going to take a cheap shot at him by questioning his reasons to carry on once he hits a bad patch and questioning his ability et al only to praise him once he hits the purple patch; if that is not flip-flopping than what is ? Kapil dev called Srt greatest etc, because he broke the barrier of double ton in ODI's, I ask is that the only reason why he is the greatest ? I don't see ANY difference in terms of what SRT has achieved since the last statement that Kapil paaji made labeling him a no show up man when needed the most. The reason I say no difference is because SRT has been doing the same since Day 1 (i.e. putting on runs and scoring ton after ton) so why the sudden change of mind and heaps of praises ? I respect Kapil for what he has given to the Indian cricket fraternity and fans but this shouldn't oblige us in putting a blindfold whenever he spews nonsense regarding any Indian cricketer not just SRT.

[Lurker]

Lurker mian' date=' see post#6 in this thread

Hahaha..Arre Holy Baba wehan bhi aap sure nahin the bandhu :--D:--D

Tendulkar will not quit tests, or ODI's. He will come back stronger. The last hurrah. Wait and watch. I hope :eew:

Itna neeche I hope likhte ho. :secret::secret::secret:

[Lurker]

What was wrong was all sorts of insinuations about him staying on for money, stats, forming mafias, stopping the growth of youngsters, hiding away from the battle on the field etc. This kind of nonsense was just plain wrong and does not fall within the purview of criticizing a player for his performance, specially one who has shown in commitment for so long and through so much.

Look, SRT is NOT the only player who was subjected to that, and neither would he be the last one. Everyone from Sunny to Kapil to Wadekar to Dhoni have been accused to have backings of sorts, or playing for their own end. To be fair Sachin had come as close as any player can to get dropped. Whether he remained in team because of his (past) performances, or his stature, or Mumbai lobby, who knows? I am reminded of Ganguly's press conference where he had mentioned how any player could be dropped, to which a scribe followed up with a "can Sachin be dropped too?". Ganguly had smiled and replied, No Sachin wont be dropped ever. Who knows what he meant, or what happens in the background. Point being SRT was criticized, fairly or unfairly, as has every single player. And when he succeeded it has turned around with ample accolodates, quite rightly. Lets take it at that, and leave it at that too. xxx

[goose]

I think you can divide Tendulkar fans into two broad groups. The first group understands that around the turn of the century, with a decade long career already behind him, he had done enough to earn comparisons with Bradman. I distinctly remember a BBC poll around 1999 comparing the two. ESPN Legends ranked him behind only Bradman and Richards. That was over ten years ago. He needn't have faced a cricket ball ever again. What has followed since has been gravy on top with the odd dessert. An extended celebration of a legend that hit all the highest notes at such a young age. The main dish was served a long time ago. This group never loses site of this fact. The second group has no time for such supposed nostalgia. Nevermind what he did ten years ago. That counts for nothing today. In fact this group will always give weight to his most recent performances. This group is in awe of his longevity. With each falling record their respect for him grows albeit perhaps from a lower base than that possessed by the first group. This group, like a second-hand historian, rely on soundbites, records, media news to cement their own perceptions of his greatness. Those that belong to this group cannot ever, i repeat ever, join the first group.

[Guest BossBhai]

-- Removed on request of the user --

[Anakin]

There is the third group : the fair weather fans who flip-flop based on what direction the wind is flowing. Lurker' date=' Bumper, Dhondy etc are real examples. The modus operandi is usually driven by recent "N" innings where N is suitably chosen to best represent their case combined with unrealistic expectations.[/quote'] I don't have a big problem with that. What I hate is their attitude (eg. mafia don, selfish, playing for records, playing for money, without balls, afraid of chuckter of all people, not a match winner, wishing injuries, why abc is underrated and srt is so overrated, blah blah blah, and this is just a sample). To make things worse, they'll accuse everyone who does not agree with them of being blind worshipers when they themselves go hiding when their idol and favorite ones hit the slump.

[Guest BossBhai]

-- Removed on request of the user --

[yoda]

All I can say is Tendu is much more modest than his chest thumping fans.

[vvvslaxman]

I have no problem with those who offers balanced criticism. Can't believe he was booed in his own home town not long ago.

[The Outsider]

Look, SRT is NOT the only player who was subjected to that, and neither would he be the last one. Everyone from Sunny to Kapil to Wadekar to Dhoni have been accused to have backings of sorts, or playing for their own end.

And I would come out and call that out as wrong as well. Questioning performance is one thing, but making insinuations on the integrity and honesty of someone without proof, entirely different. Kapil saying that Tendulkar chokes under pressure is fine with me, idiotic but well within his rights but Chappell insinuating that the reason he is playing is because of endorsements is overstepping the line, people complaining about Ganguly's slow batting due to cricketing reasons in the BD WC match is fine, but saying he was doing it because his endorsement money is dependent on the time he spends at the crease is overstepping the mark.

[Temujin Khaghan]

kapil to sachin Nobody does it better Makes me feel sad for the rest Nobody does it half as good as you Baby, you're the best

[Pak_Forever]

I think the greatest has to be Don Bradman. Avg. of 99 in 52 games, with 29 100s and 13 50s. He even had a 95 avg from 200+ first-class games. Those stats speak volume about that greatest run machine of this game. After him no doubt in batting dept it's Sachin.

[Ultimate_Game]

I think the greatest has to be Don Bradman. Avg. of 99 in 52 games, with 29 100s and 13 50s. He even had a 95 avg from 200+ first-class games. Those stats speak volume about that greatest run machine of this game. After him no doubt in batting dept it's Sachin.

Agree with you. Average of 99 is a bit special no matter what. The very fact Don was able to average 56 in bodyline series speaks volumes about the man.