Mumbai, Nov 2: Virat Kohli sauntering towards Sachin Tendulkar’s records that once looked staggering and seemingly unsurpassable has amazed the icon, who on Thursday called the Indian captain one of the greatest but said he “never believed” in comparisons.
Recently Kohli surpassed Tendulkar to become the fastest player to score 10,000 One Day International runs. He is also inching towards Tendulkar’s record for highest number of ODI hundreds (49), having notched his 38th century in Pune in the third game against West Indies.
“Coming to Virat’s development as a player, I think he has developed immensely. And I always saw that spark in him. I always felt that he is going to be one of the leading players in the world, not just of this generation, but one of the leading players of all time,” Tendulkar told reporters in Navi Mumbai.
“And then it is again about opinions. But if one has to go into comparisons, then I don’t want to get into that. There were different bowlers who played in 60s, 70s, 80s, and possibly in my time and what they are playing today. So I wouldn’t want to get into that,” he said.
The legendary player was speaking after the first India camp of the Tendulkar Middelsex Global Academy began at the D Y Patil Stadium. His childhood friend and former India batsman Vinod Kambli also mentored the kids.
No belief in comparisons
Tendulkar categorically stressed that he did not believe in comparisons.
“I think first of all, like how Virat has said and I have been saying for 24 years that I have played. I have never believed in comparison. Each generation if you take from the time cricket was played from day one to now, the change has been constant.
“Then each generation played differently, there were different rules, there were different restrictions, there were different surfaces, there were different balls also at times. So lot of things, boundary lines if you see earlier, I have played where the ball had to hit the concrete in Australia, things have changed over the years. I personally don’t feel one should be comparing different generations,” he said.
“But within that generation also I personally believe there should not be any comparison, because every individual whatever he or she does needs to be respected and judge by itself, it doesn’t have to be always judged by comparing someone and I don’t believe in that (comparisons),” Tendulkar noted.
Praises Prithvi Shaw
Tendulkar praised teenage prodigy Prithvi Shaw, terming the right-handed batsman a fast-leaner.
Shaw made a dream debut to his Test career by slamming a hundred in the first Test against West Indies in Rajkot.
“I think I can talk about Prithvi. I have never given my opinion on selection whether who should be picked and who should be dropped. And I would like to maintain it that way, because that is like influencing the selectors to do something. But just if I have to look at Prithvi as a player, he’s progressed tremendously.
“I feel with the age he is only going to get better and better. So Prithvi is someone who will continue to perform well. Yes Australian trip is gonna be a good exposure to him. And whatever I have seen, he is fast-learner. So I see him ready for that.
“I think he (Shaw) has performed well in all formats. So he has performed well. So if you are not suited for all formats you can’t perform well,” said Tendulkar when asked whether he would like to see Shaw in ODIs.
‘We have a huge opportunity in Australia’
With Australia not having their two key players Steve Smith and David Warner, batting great Sachin Tendulkar believes that it will be a “huge opportunity” for India to do something special Down Under.
“I think we have a huge opportunity (in Australia). You (the reporter) correctly put it, the Australian team does not look the same Australian side that it used to be and with Smith and Warner not there, this is a great opportunity to go out and do something special,” Tendulkar said when asked about India’s chances in the upcoming tour.
India begin the tour with three T20s, which will be followed by a four-match Test series, the first beginning at Adelaide on December 6.
Smith and Warner are currently serving a one-year ban while Cameron Bancroft has been suspended for nine months after their involvement in the ball-tampering scandal in March.
‘Don’t want to debate on ban’
Tendulkar also said he didn’t want to get into the debate of whether the ban on Smith and Warner should be reduced or not.
Recently, the Australian Cricketers Association reiterated its call for the bans on Smith, Warner and Bancroft to be lifted in the light of the findings of the cultural reviews into Australian Cricket.
Asked about it and whether he would like to see the duo playing, Tendulkar said, “I would want to see good cricket for sure (in Australia). They both (Smith and Warner) are world-class players. So I don’t want to get into that debate whether the ban should be reduced or not.
“But I would like to see them, but by no means I am saying or interfering in what their judgment has been. All I am saying in both are world class players.”
On Khaleel Ahmed
Tendulkar also praised rookie left-arm pacer Khaleel Ahmed saying from whatever he has seen the bowler has looked good.
Ahmed, who had impressed in the Asia Cup, picked up a three-wicket haul in the fourth ODI against West Indies in Mumbai on Monday, when he ripped through their middle-order.
“Khaleel has been good, I have not watched too much of him, but I have seen, he was part of the Mumbai Indians, so I have seen a bit of Khaleel sometime ago and recently I saw him on television, again I am saying I have not seen at length, from whatever I have seen he looked good,” said Tendulkar.
Good fast bowlers
Tendulkar said that the presence of Jasprit Bumrah was important and that India had good fast bowlers.
Asked about the Indian pace bowling attack, Tendulkar noted, “Good for us if there is competition is heating up, why not? Healthy competition is always welcome, that means we have got good fast bowlers, who are sitting on the bench also.
“Whenever bench strength is also strong, in case there are some injuries at the last moment, you know that someone sitting out is fully geared up and ready to go out and deliver. I think we are in that position at this stage.
“Yes there is always room for improvement. They want to get better each time they get out on the field. In particular, (Jasprit) Bumrah’s presence is going to be important,” he signed off.
After the DY Patil Stadium, the Tendulkar Middlesex Global Academy camp will be held at the MIG Club in suburban Bandra from November 6-9 and later will be held at the The Bishops School in Pune from November 12-15 and 17-20.
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