Sir Donald Bradman's Equal
Tendulkar Achieves Batting's Nirvana
Sham Samaroo
Mar 22, 2009
Throughout his career, Tendulkar's batting has repeatedly evoked comparisons to the legendary Sir Donald Bradman widely considered to be the game's greatest batsman. Shane Warne, arguably the greatest spinner to play the game, says that there is Tendulkar, then there is daylight, and then the next best batsman in the world. And the legendary Sir Vivian Richards had this to say: "I would say he’s 99.5 per cent perfect" "..if Bradman could bat like this man does then he was dynamite. Players like Sachin deserve to be preserved in cotton wool.” But the finest accolade came from the Don himself, who once while watching Tendulkar on television called out to his wife:
"Jessie! Jessie! Come here," "Look there! The batsman on the television. Don't you think he reminds you of me?"
And after watching Tendulkar this past week in the first test in New Zealand, one cannot help but feel that he has finally pulled alongside The Don as the greatest batsman ever to play the game.
Led by another MOM performance from Tendulkar, India romped to a comprehensive 10-wicket victory, their fist in New Zealand in 33 year dating back to 1976. Incidentally, it was the same margin of defeat that New Zealand inflicted on India at Hamilton on India's last tour in 2002 - a game in which Tendulkar also played. For Tendulkar, it was the first taste of victory in Kiwiland after nine tests, and that fact must have weighed heavily on his mind as he came to the crease. It took him 11 deliveries to get off the mark before going on to score a scintillating 160. It was Tendulkar's 18th score above 150, and the 42nd century of his career. His first 50 was a lesson in discipline and determination. But whenever the bowlers erred ever so slightly, vintage Tendulkar took centre stage evoking comparisons to the 1990s when he was seen as the scourge of bowlers the world over. The difference, though, is the way in which he paced his innings.
In the early years, Tendulkar seldom played the percentage game and in so doing always gave the bowlers a glimmer of hope. However, in the last few series, starting with India's tour to Australia in 2007-08, Tendulkar has elevated his batting to an unprecedented level of perfection. For cricket connoisseurs, this innings was an exhibition in purity, faultlessness, and aestheticism. He leaves the bowler absolutely no margin for error. One on drive, nothing more than a gentle push, could easily have won the first prize in any beauty contest. On another occasion, the bowler erred just ever so slightly in width and Tendulkar unfurled the back-foot cover drive - the timing was exquisite, the placement, flawless - bisecting two fielders at cover, and eluding a third on the boundary. It was simply divine.
Tendulkar's talent, experience, and uncanny ability to read the game have combined, finally, to realize batting's nirvana.