Should we absolve Sachin from 1 billion expectations?

[zen]

I wrote this on the CL forum and thought may be this topic could be discussed in depth. Sachin has carried the burden of 1 billion (or even more) expectations from Indian fans for 20 years with success. As fans, we want him to play for as long as possible. One of the ways to do that is for him to pick and choose his games, thus minimizing the risk of picking up injuries and body stress. For example, his current participation in CL, which to many is "not that important" tourney. He probably could have avoided that and focused on the more important test series against Australia that is coming up soon. This is what the mind says. What does the heart say? When I look at Sachin, I see a hero who has given it all for India. He is probably our brightest gem in sports. Like most things in life, he is approaching a point where he would have to decide when to hang up his boots. The man is in the last phase of his international career as a cricketer. As his fan, I would want him to enjoy his cricket and play whatever he wants and enjoys (even if it is playing in the CL). For me whatever he would do from now on (or say after the test series in SA to be more specific) is a bonus to Indian cricket. I think I would go with what the heart says, it's time to leave Sachin to do whatever he pleases to do and absolve him from the burden of a billion expectations. It's time for some of others to pick the baton of responsibility and expectations and show their mettle (something what Sehwag is doing) and see Sachin presence as a big bonus rather than as the main pillar. It's time for Sachin to play (whatever he enjoys) without the additional burden of huge expectations and enjoy himself even more in the last phase of his career as a cricketer. Let's also put him above unnecessary criticism. Where do the fans stand on this?

[ravishingravi]

One thing I want from the great man is to stop playing meaningless matches and stay fit and hungry for the tests and the WC. That is the only expectation I have of him.

[riwi999]

I think he is already picking his games. He decided not to play in the recent ODI series in Sri Lanka. He decided to play for Mumbai Indians in the current Champions League. And this is not at the cost of the upcoming Test series against Australia. I fully support him in this. I wish other Indian players would also be selective. Dhoni and Sehwag, for example. As for expectations from Sachin, I don't have any expectations from him. If anything, I'd like him to play for as long as he is enjoying it and is contributing to the team. He should not continue to play and live on past glory. That would be the worst thing for him because we want to remember him going out on a high.

[DomainK]

Yes, he is already picking his games and if he wants to play CL, it's his choice. We should not try to pick for him. He has done enough to do whatever he likes to do.

[ravishingravi]

I think he is already picking his games. He decided not to play in the recent ODI series in Sri Lanka. He decided to play for Mumbai Indians in the current Champions League. And this is not at the cost of the upcoming Test series against Australia. I fully support him in this. I wish other Indian players would also be selective. Dhoni and Sehwag, for example. As for expectations from Sachin, I don't have any expectations from him. If anything, I'd like him to play for as long as he is enjoying it and is contributing to the team. He should not continue to play and live on past glory. That would be the worst thing for him because we want to remember him going out on a high.

If that is true, it is not very inspiring to be honest, if he chooses Mumbai Indians over India. He has been a great servant for Indian cricket but this is definitely not waranted. If he is being selective, I don't understand how IPL and CL come within the selection criteria. Btw just 5 days difference between the CL and Aus series. Ps. He might have been injured in SL.

[zen]

If that is true' date= it is not very inspiring to be honest, if he chooses Mumbai Indians over India. He has been a great servant for Indian cricket but this is definitely not waranted. If he is being selective, I don't understand how IPL and CL come within the selection criteria. Btw just 5 days difference between the CL and Aus series. Ps. He might have been injured in SL.

After 20 years of serving Indian cricket, if Tendulkar still cannot do what he pleases to do in the last phase of his career and his moves are seen as uninspiring then I don't know what to say! Lets put him above unnecessary criticism and let him do what he pleases while absolving him from the burden of high expectations. He has already been delivering for 20 years for fans like us!

[ravishingravi]

After 20 years of serving Indian cricket' date=' if Tendulkar still cannot do what he pleases to do in the last phase of his career and his moves are seen as uninspiring then I don't know what to say! Lets put him above unnecessary criticism and let him do what he pleases while absolving him from the burden of high expectations. He has already been delivering for 20 years for fans like us![/quote'] I added a caveat "If that is true", because I still feel Tend. would not do that, if he was fit in Lanka. But, if he was indeed fit, then he deserves all the criticism, purely because India still depends on him and Indian cricket matters more to me than gully cricket. Imo, no one can be beyond criticism, even the finest sportsman ever from India, cause if that happens then whatever little sports culture we have is dead. I was critical of Dhoni when he chose to miss SL test series for exhaustion and yet played the IPL before it. It is not about the player, it about his actions.

[Lord]

hes doing fine WITH the expectations,why should it be different?:--D

[zen]

hes doing fine WITH the expectations' date='why should it be different?:--D[/quote'] So far so good! This is more about the way forward .... But yeah, no matter what he does, there will always be high expectations from him. Such is the stature of the man :hatsoff:

[ravishingravi]

He probably did that. In fact, the selectors decided to rest him too, if I recall correctly. So I guess, he becomes a villain for choosing CL over the tri-series in SL, right? It is this unnecessary criticism by fans that probably shows poor sports culture and not what icons like Tendulkar pick, imo :winky: PS And obviously you missed the point of this thread :P

what is more dangerous to sports culture is when fanboys put someone above criticism. I don't think they would be in any position to evaluate what it necessary and what isn't. Even Bradman and Sobers have been criticized. Nobody is above the game and it is only of any importance if it is played between countries, atleast in my book. If I did miss the point of thread, sorry to digress.

[goose]

The BCCI will profit more from Tendulkar's involvement in the Champions League than in international one-day bilateral tournaments.

[DomainK]

After 20 years of serving Indian cricket' date= if Tendulkar still cannot do what he pleases to do in the last phase of his career and his moves are seen as uninspiring then I don't know what to say! Lets put him above unnecessary criticism and let him do what he pleases while absolving him from the burden of high expectations. He has already been delivering for 20 years for fans like us!

Exactly. Lets not pick and chose for him, force our choices on him and call it "absolving him of pressure" and still continue to question what he is doing. Contradictory, isnt it?

[achilles]

Let him take his decisions and we should all support him, as long as his World Cup plans are not in jeopardy.

[zen]

what is more dangerous to sports culture is when fanboys put someone above criticism. I don't think they would be in any position to evaluate what it necessary and what isn't. Even Bradman and Sobers have been criticized. Nobody is above the game and it is only of any importance if it is played between countries, atleast in my book. If I did miss the point of thread, sorry to digress.

Nope, unnecessary criticism is always unwarranted. Also, those criticizing shouldn't assume that a player can/cannot take a break based on fans' calculations. Also the level of involvement is different in different formats Fans, occasionally, should rise to the level of their icons (esp the ones who have been delivering for India for more than 2 decade and putting the country first) and show a big heart rather than trying to make everything an economic or national issue without understanding the finer points properly But anyways, you are entitled to an opinion :P

[CSK Fan]

If that is true, it is not very inspiring to be honest, if he chooses Mumbai Indians over India. He has been a great servant for Indian cricket but this is definitely not waranted. If he is being selective, I don't understand how IPL and CL come within the selection criteria. Btw just 5 days difference between the CL and Aus series. Ps. He might have been injured in SL.

I personally dont think bi nation and traingular ODI series are really important anymore and we seem to be doing well without him there. as for his taking part in IPL and CL, after he retires from international cricket, am sure he will continue for a couple of years in them so he has to protect his interests. And that might be the only place we would be able to see more of him.

[zen]

I personally dont think bi nation and traingular ODI series are really important anymore and we seem to be doing well without him there. as for his taking part in IPL and CL' date= after he retires from international cricket, am sure he will continue for a couple of years in them so he has to protect his interests. And that might be the only place we would be able to see more of him.

doing well w/o him is a good sign for Indian cricket too .... And also we use some of the tourneys to test out our bench-strength

[Zap_Brannigan]

i havent read the posts as i am busy watching the CSK game. Could you guys nominate the good posts for POTW#2 if you feel that any posts here deserves to win. Slow week this!

[riwi999]

I think we are assuming here that if he plays in the CL, it will affect his performance for India against Australia. Yes, there may only be a 5-day gap but I prefer to think that he is professional enough to be physically and mentally charged up enough for the Australia series. I know a lot of people think the IPL and the Champions League is meaningless too but for the franchises and for the players, it is very meaningful. Whether we like it or not. A Champions League tournament is close to Sachin's heart. It has taken a lot to just qualify for it. And he is captain of Mumbai Indians. And you want him to sit down and take rest? Not going to happen. And I personally would not want him to do that. He is mature enough to know which matches he should play in and which he can afford to skip. The ODI series in SL was certainly not meaningful for him, so he skipped it. He knows what he is doing. And what his body will allow him. Otherwise he would not have lasted 21 years.

[ravishingravi]

I personally dont think bi nation and traingular ODI series are really important anymore and we seem to be doing well without him there. as for his taking part in IPL and CL' date=' after he retires from international cricket, am sure he will continue for a couple of years in them so he has to protect his interests. And that might be the only place we would be able to see more of him.[/quote'] MTC, even if I accept your argument, but the quality of these matches and the attacks is so poor, that I really don't know what to read into it. Frankly, if Sachin fails miserably or scores big in one of these tournaments means nothing when it comes to Aus series. Pressures simply cannot be compared. Nobody is questioning his right to choose. But my personal thought on IPL/CL is not very flattering and I would rather see Sachin bring his best to the table for India and get adequate rest in between. If pulls a hamstring here, I ll be pulling my hair out. I am sorry but I still can't equat ethe importance of match against Lanka and a t20 against mojo lions. Thats just me.

[Gunner_Mania]

Playing Devil's Advocate why should just he be carrying the burden of expectations and in the event lose opp to earn money? And why should he always do what the fan thinks is right or important and not what he thinks or believes. It's his life.