Tendulkar: Indian cricket in safe hands now

[DesiChap]

Tendulkar: Indian cricket in safe hands now PTI Lavishing praise on the Mahendra Singh Dhoni-led Indian team for winning the inaugural Twenty20 World Cup, batting maestro Sachin Tendulkar said Indian cricket was now in safe hands. Tendulkar, along with ageing stalwarts Sourav Ganguly and Rahul Dravid, had opted out of the Twenty20 event while Dhoni was named captain of a young side that went all the way to win the title beating arch-rivals Pakistan. Tendulkar hailed tonight's win as a complete team effort and singled out Dhoni for special praise. "It was a brilliant team effort and along with the players, the entire nation is celebrating. Dhoni led the team to a fabulous victory and I can say that Indian cricket is in safe hands," he said. Another former captain, Sourav Ganguly, also heaped praise on Dhoni and said India had found an able leader in the star Jharkhand player. "Dhoni is special. We needed a leader like Dhoni. It was a fantastic win and the team needed this kind of performance. "The temperament the boys have shown under pressure is outstanding," Ganguly said from Kolkata. India's 1983 World Cup winning captain Kapil Dev said with this win, Dhoni and his teammates had become part of Indian cricket lores. "I can guess that they are now so overwhelmed in joy that it would take time before the feeling sinks in. When they come back, they would realise that they have become part of history. "We won the World Cup in 1983 but still whenever World Cup takes place, people call us, remember us. The love and affection that await them would make them realise the magnitude of the achievement," he said. "I remember meeting (former Prime Minister) Rajiv Gandhi, who told me that he was keen to know the score of a match involving India while he was flying and he finally went to the pilot, requesting him to update him," Kapil reminisced. His World Cup teammate Madan Lal too felt that September 24 would go down in the history of Indian cricket. "I had lot of hopes on this team and they delivered. It's an unforgettable moment not only for the players but also for all of us," he said.

[Holysmoke]

:two_thumbs_up:

[Dravid]

:two_thumbs_up: lets see what happens in 50 overs games... with dravid/sachin/dada in the team.. hmmm

[varun]

Here's a video link to his interview : http://www.cricketnext.com/videos/27128/dhoni-did-a-fantastic-job-tendulkar.html

[Chandan]

Fantastic. Thanks Varun!! It is nice to see that our senior players are so happy. I've read about Sachin and Ganguly, but what did Dravid say?? Where is he? Looks like he has switched himself off from the rest of the world at the moment, specially media. But ge'd have congratulated this young team certainly. And he must have wished them all the luck before the final too. Very impressed by the entire team. We've found a couple of good young players. I hope we build around them!!

[The Outsider]

Very impressed by the entire team. We've found a couple of good young players. I hope we build around them!!

I hope you found the fielding impressive as well.:tounge_smile:

[Chandan]

I hope you found the fielding impressive as well.:tounge_smile:

Yes. Certainly impressive. But the most impressive feature has been bowling on those flat tracks. It is great that our bowlers are looking to take wickets and our fielders are supporting him fully.:thumbs_up:

[gs]

Here's a video link to his interview : http://www.cricketnext.com/videos/27128/dhoni-did-a-fantastic-job-tendulkar.html

Rajdeep Sardesai looks old and ill :P

[King]

I just hope the likes of Rahul, Ganguly and to lesser extent Tendulkar understand it's not just about playing cricket or scoring heaps of runs. It's also about enjoying the sport and not worry about the result before hand. I guess all three should retire from ODI cricket atleast after the home series against Pakistan. I don't see any point in them hurting their body to play the 50 overs and Twenty20 version. All three can play test cricket for another couple of years or three for sure.

[Chaos]

ravi, i dont agree with this at all. Tendulkar has another 3 years ATLEAST in odi's. And he is our BEST opener in the team. His stature in the team only helps with everything. I want to see him play as long as possible as long he contributes. So i want Sachin and dravid ( he is in TERRIFIC touch) in odi's to stay. But its time for Ganguly to go for sure.

[Chandan]

Mouni, We've to prepare a team for the future too. So if these batsmen don't retire , at least they won't be playing 50% of ODIs from now on, and I'm sure of that. It isn't bad if they play selectively and the young guys get enough exposure for the time to come, post these great batsmen's era.

[Chaos]

dude tendulkar cannt be replaced. We need solid opening partnerships in 50/50 or the game will be over. These kids cant play freely like 20/20 after couple wickets fall...

[Chandan]

But he can't play forever, isn't it? And who said we'd get a guy like Tendulkar again?? He is a once in a lifetime player and we must understand that whatever game he plays for India now should be savoured. We might not see a talent like him again in our lives!!