Pics : Sachin Tendulkar in Action Against Kings XI Punjab

Put in a decent show in the death overs and there's always a chance of winning a Twenty20 mach. So it was when Mumbai Indians hosted Kings XI Punjab at Wankhede Stadium on Monday (April 29), where Mumbai won by four runs in a match that got too close for comfort towards the end.

Rohit Sharma, the Mumbai captain, was at the root of Mumbai's batting effort, clubbing a 39-ball 79. Of those runs 26 came in the final over, bowled by David Hussey, who played the role of Punjab captain after Adam Gilchrist dropped himself. That over proved to be the difference as Mumbai sealed their sixth win in the Pepsi Indian Premier League 2013.

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Sachin Tendulkar Was Never Booed in Mumbai–Here is the True Story

On Mar 20, 2006 There Was a News which spread like a wild fire all across the world that Sachin Tendulkar was booed in mumbai during the Test match between India & England.

Here is the true story what happend there : (As Informed By Atish Hemade Who Was at The Stadium)

Wankhede never booed Sachin and will never ever.Firstly it is ridiculous to even say such a thing.People at Mumbai respect and worship him more than any other place.It was a high tempo situation..The barmy army(cheering England)  vs North stand(Cheering India) ,each cheering their team.The north stand was teasing flintoff. and the moment our god got out, the barmy army and flintoff showed fingers at the north stand.And hence the crowd became angry and started Booing them.

It Was totally unfortunate that Sachin Tendulkar was walking back to the pavillion at the same time, the media suddenly quoted everywhere that crowd started booing sachin, but it was not true This is coming from a regular match watcher at the north stand.. I WAS IN THAT VERY SAME MATCH IN THE NORTH STAND WITH 20 OTHER FRIENDS CHEERING AS LOUD AS POSSIBLE FOR SACHIN AND INDIA.

I understand that you will go with the facts what various news links have published but It became such a big news that it was everywhere.how could people have gathered at that time and convey what actually happened,The news spread like fire.You see,if facebook,orkut etc etc were present at that time things would have been different.

This is What Sachin Tendulkar Has to Say :

On being booed by his home crowd at the Wankhede Stadium during the third Test against England, he said, “I thought the issue was blown out of proportion by the media. It wasn’t that bad. I have more well wishers than the small section of the crowd at the Wankhede Stadium that day. I have to ignore them. I cannot forget the backing I have got from the people all these years just because of this”.

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I wanted to be a combination of Viv Richards &Sunil Gavaskar : Sachin Tendulkar

Sachin Tendulkar, one of the greatest batsmen the game has ever seen, said on Friday that it was important to have heroes in life and he himself wanted to be a combination of his childhood idols Vivian Richards and Sunil Gavaskar.

"Every person likes his own identity and that is important. It is good to have heroes. When I was growing up, I had a couple of heroes. I wanted to be a combination, a mixture of Vivian Richards and Sunil Gavaskar," said Tendulkar during an interaction with his fans at gaming and experience centre 'Smaaash' in Mumbai on Friday.

"So, it is important for this generation to have heroes and try and get closer to anywhere you can to your heroes. Heroes will always be heroes, so that is how it should be."

The senior cricketer, who celebrated his 40th birthday a couple of days ago, also cut a cake to mark the occasion and said, "This was the 40th cake that I have cut, so we should stop now."

As a batsman, he has had problems with the sightscreen and the scorer of 100 international hundreds admitted this.

"You know I keep complaining about sightscreens. That is what I go through. When I am batting there are more than 50,000 people around and you can't spot the ball because of the release point sometimes as the sightscreens are not high enough.

"But there is not much choice. It makes you focus harder. You get a fraction of a second less to react and those are the things that you can't change much. You just have to adjust and try and find ways to prepare yourself early when the bowler is delivering," the Master Blaster said.

"Because you get a fraction second less the adjustment to make up for that loss time is in your hands, to get ready a fraction earlier to that spot. That is what I try to do on various occasions when I find it difficult to spot the ball."

Asked whether he and Mumbai Indians teammate and skipper Ricky Ponting, a former Australia captain, are sharing tips during the ongoing Indian Premier League, Tendulkar replied in the affirmative.

"Yes we do. We play for the same team. We want to achieve the same goal. When you become part of the same team, you do share whatever your thoughts are and that is how any team should be," he said.

Tendulkar said he has been sharing his knowledge about domestic cricketers with Ponting.

"Here I have been sharing little more in detail, because I know little bit about our cricketers, which Ricky hasn't had the opportunity to watch them much. Also a lot of things are planned in team meetings.

"But there are things that spontaneously come to your mind and you share your thoughts. So it is basically about sharing our knowledge and giving some background about the bowler."

Tendulkar said having a strong passion for the game and willingness to put in hard work to improve skills should be the top priorities for budding cricketers.

"First and foremost, to be madly in love with cricket is important. You can't count the number of hours, the number of balls you have practiced, the number of balls that you have bowled. You can't be counting. You cant look at your watch. You have to just practice and practice.

"When I was your age, I practised quite long hours. I would start by 7.30 in the morning and finish by 7.30 in the evening. Eventually my coach had to sort of pack my kit bag and send me off saying 'it is too dark to play cricket and we all want to go home'."

"My passion was such and still alive. Boys like you or even girls now, whoever wants to become a cricketer, should be passionate about the game. Cricket should be in your heart first and then as you mature and grow slowly you will find how to score runs and how to bowl over, how to bowl spells. First cricket has to be in your heart and the rest follows."

Asked why he doesn't bowl as much as he used to in the past he said, "I think there are better bowlers than me. Yes I did bowl earlier, but may be my turn to bowl never came or the other bowlers were performing well. They are doing well.

"Occasionally I prefer bowling but I don't think I was ever a regular bowler. More of a partnership breaker kind of a thing, you know when there was a long partnership I would come on. Bowl a couple of overs, when I did.

"If it worked it worked, if it didn't then no stress because you have got main bowlers to take the pressure and responsibility. In one-day cricket, yes I did bowl but now I have retired from one-day (cricket)," he said.

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Exclusive Pics : Sachin Tendulkar at Smaaash Promotional Event in Mumbai

Sachin Tendulkar was at the Smaaash Gaming Zone today in Mumbai. Yet another birthday cake for the Master Blaster @ smaaashlive  The crowd goes beserk and now this place resembles Wankhede. Sachin Tendulkar says he just cut his 40th birthday cake. Chants of Sachin Sachin follow.A lady before asking Sachin Tendulkar a question loudly screamed "Sachin, I love you." leaving the Master speechless.

Sachin Tendulkar says he does not bowl often as others are doing well and his job was to break partnerships."I need not change the way I am. People love me for what I am and credit goes to my parents." Sachin Tendulkar.

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Video : Sachin Tendulkar’s Speech at SMAAASH Promotional Event

Sachin Tendulkar was at the Smaaash Gaming Zone today in Mumbai. Yet another birthday cake for the Master Blaster @ smaaashlive  The crowd goes beserk and now this place resembles Wankhede. Sachin Tendulkar says he just cut his 40th birthday cake. Chants of Sachin Sachin follow.A lady before asking Sachin Tendulkar a question loudly screamed "Sachin, I love you." leaving the Master speechless.

Sachin Tendulkar says he does not bowl often as others are doing well and his job was to break partnerships."I need not change the way I am. People love me for what I am and credit goes to my parents." Sachin Tendulkar.

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Exclusive Pics : Sachin Tendulkar at Videocon's Party For Mumbai Indians Players

Telecom operator Videocon Mobile Services (VMS) has signed an agreement with Mukesh Ambani- owned Mumbai Indians to be its associate sponsor in this year's IPL season.

"We are proud that Videocon is the official partner of 'Mumbai Indians, the most loved and followed cricket team...The association with Mumbai Indians is an endeavour for Videocon Mobile Services to re-establish its iconic positioning in the Indian telecom space," VMS Director and CEO Arvind Bali said in a statement.

Replying to a query about the nature of association, the company said: "Videocon Mobile Services is the associate sponsor for IPL season 6".

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Video : Mumbai Indians Teammates Wishing Sachin on his 40th Birthday

From his current team-mates and admirers to his past colleagues and opponents, all took to twitter to wish Sachin Tendulkar on his 40th birthday today.

His close friend and former team-mate Vinod Kambli, with whom Tendulkar shared a world record 664-run partnership while playing for Shardashram Vidya Mandir in Harris Shield in 1988, was one of the first to wish the senior batsman.

"Wishing master blaster tendlya,A very happy birthday,40 becoming naughty.god bless him n may he have a long n healthy life.enjoy ur day," Kambli wrote on his twitter page. Here is the video of MI teammates wishing Sachin on his 40th birthday.

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Unseen Pics : Sachin Tendulkar's 40th Birthday Celebrations

Sachin Tendulkar was a picture of humility as he celebrated his 40th birthday with a brief cake-cutting ceremony here, thanking his legions of fans for their "unconditional love" in a cricket career spanning over two decades.

The Mumbaikar, who would be seen in action during an IPL match for his team Mumbai Indians against the Kolkata Knight Riders later tonight, made a brief statement to the media before cutting a cake here.
"Let me take this opportunity to thank all the people in India and well wishers all over the world who have supported me and showered me with unconditional love," said the veteran, whose wife Anjali was by his side during the ceremony.

Sachin Tendulkar playing cricket with an autism patient at the hotel
Pic Courtesy : Boria Majumdar

Pic Courtesy : Boria Majumdar

Pic Courtesy : Mumbai Indians

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Pics : Eden Gardens Celebrates Sachin Tendulkar's 40th Birthday

Light rain in Kolkata on Wednesday failed to dampen Sachin Tendulkar's birthday celebrations.With his Mumbai Indians teammates cheering in front of their dressing room, the batting ace sliced through a green-coloured cake, resembling a cricket ground with his signature "ST" bat in the middle and a cherry on it. The cake was fenced with stumps.

Earlier on the day Sachin Said "Let me take this opportunity to thank all the people in India and well wishers all over the world who have supported me and showered me with unconditional love," said the veteran, whose wife Anjali was by his side during the ceremony.

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Sachin Tendulkar brought school books on his 1st tour of England: Kapil Dev

World Cup-winning captain Kapil Dev says a shy and quiet Sachin Tendulkar was carrying his tenth class school books during his first tour of England in 1990, when he was all of 17.

"He (Tendulkar) was very quiet. On that first tour he was carrying his school books to study in tenth grade. He was shy, did not talk too much and he was just a normal kid. He did not involve himself in topics. He used to observe," said Kapil.

"Two thing were very different about him at that age. His balance was so good... Unbelievable. And he did not hit the ball. He pushed the ball. He had a heavy bat. During that period I had never seen someone using that heavy bat and he held the bat low down," Kapil told the BBC Radio 5 Live show.

Kapil was told to look after Tendulkar on that first tour to England, rooming with him, and he watched the young cricketer's ambidextrous skills with amazement.

"He did with the left hand, writing, eating. But batting, bowling was with right hand. Later on I realised he must be a genius who has power in both hands. That is the future of cricket. If you can have balanced power you can control the ball and balance of your body."

Kapil recalled the first time he watched Tendulkar bat in a domestic match. "The first time I saw him bat was at Brabourne Stadium (in Mumbai) and I was asked to bowl at him. I was told he would get encouragement from it. I said 'who is he?' and was told he had done well in school cricket and to just bowl a few balls," recollected Kapil.

"He looked like a 14 year-old. He played with decent balance and I was very nervous to bowl to him. He was too young for me to bowl to. I bowled a couple of quick ones. He flicked them off and in the net you could see he looked good at that age. His ability was there but I could not dream this young boy would be one of the finest cricketers to walk this earth."
Another former captain, Rahul Dravid, said it will be impossible to replace Tendulkar once the senior India batsman retires from international cricket, but added the game will go on.

"I don't think you should look to replace him, it will be impossible," Dravid said.

"There is a lot of talent there and they have to become who they want to be. When Sunil Gavaskar retired people said where would the next Sunil Gavaskar come from but then we had Sachin Tendulkar come through," he added.

Tendulkar retired from ODI cricket last year but is expected to carry on with his Test career for some time.

"For a whole generation of people it is going to be strange because they have grown up with Sachin but it is inevitable. It will happen. People move on. It is life. Cricket will go on. It is bigger than any individual. The greats have played before him and will continue to play after him," he added.

Asked to pick Tendulkar's greatest innings, former captains Sourav Ganguly and Gavaskar said it was his 114 against Australia at Perth in 1992.

India were heavily beaten but Tendulkar made 114 on a typically rock hard, bouncy pitch at the WACA.

"That is still the best. He was a young boy, about 18. It was a bouncy Perth pitch. We were hammered in that series but he smashed (Craig) McDermott and (Merv) Hughes on a quick WACA pitch," said Ganguly.

"We go to Australia quite a lot now and are used to those pitches but in those days we went once every six years and it was even harder to get used to the pace and bounce."

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Exclusive Pics : Sachin Tendulkar & Anjali at Sachin's 40th Birthday Celebrations

Sachin Tendulkar was a picture of humility as he celebrated his 40th birthday with a brief cake-cutting ceremony here, thanking his legions of fans for their "unconditional love" in a cricket career spanning over two decades.

The Mumbaikar, who would be seen in action during an IPL match for his team Mumbai Indians against the Kolkata Knight Riders later tonight, made a brief statement to the media before cutting a cake here.
"Let me take this opportunity to thank all the people in India and well wishers all over the world who have supported me and showered me with unconditional love," said the veteran, whose wife Anjali was by his side during the ceremony.

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Tendulkar thanks well-wishers on his 40th birthday

Sachin Tendulkar was a picture of humility as he celebrated his 40th birthday with a brief cake-cutting ceremony here, thanking his legions of fans for their "unconditional love" in a cricket career spanning over two decades.

The Mumbaikar, who would be seen in action during an IPL match for his team Mumbai Indians against the Kolkata Knight Riders later tonight, made a brief statement to the media before cutting a cake here.

"Let me take this opportunity to thank all the people in India and well wishers all over the world who have supported me and showered me with unconditional love," said the veteran, whose wife Anjali was by his side during the ceremony.

"It has been really special and it is because of their good wishes that I am standing here," he added.

Tendulkar said he wanted to thank each one of his fan personally for supporting him for over 24 years.

"Since I can't do that, it is a good opportunity to thank the every little thing that they have done for me, like fasting for me during injuries. I just wanted to say thank you," he said.

Tendulkar got the first bite of his birthday cake from Anjali's hands who giggled after being called from the backstage by the batsman on the insistence of the present journalists and photographers.

"Now, don't ask her to put it on my face next," joked the veteran cricketer.

Earlier, the Cricket Association of Bengal celebrated Tendulkar's birthday a day in advance by cutting a 10-pound cake in the presence of 100 blind students.

The blind students from Narendrapur Ramakrishna Mission Blind School and Light House for the Blind cut the cake in the evening.

In a career spanning 24 years, Tendulkar has got almost all the batting record to his name other than Brian Lara's Test highest of 400 not out.

Tendulkar, who has called it quits from the ODI format to prolong his Test career, has a colossal 18426 runs from 463 matches with 49 hundreds at an average of 44.83.

In the leading run-getters list of Test matches, Tendulkar is sitting on 15837 runs with 51 hundreds, way ahead of South African veteran Jacques Kallis who with 13128 runs is the only playing batsman to be in the race at fourth place.

Tendulkar has played only one T20 for India as he has limited his Twenty20 ambition to his franchise Mumbai Indians in the IPL.

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Pics : Nation Celebrates Sachin Tendulkar's 40th Birthday

Record-breaking batsman Sachin Tendulkar turns 40 on Wednesday with no plans to retire despite media speculation and recent form suggesting that age is finally catching up with the "Little Master".

Test and one-day cricket's greatest run-scorer approaches the game with undiminished enthusiasm and insists he has much to offer despite slipping from the dizzying heights he reached earlier in his 24-year career.

"People have been talking about my retirement since 2005, but that does not worry me at all," Tendulkar chided reporters at a promotional event in New Delhi last week.

"Your job is to write, my job is to play. I will stick to my job and you stick to yours."

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Sachin will live happily as long as he plays: Coach Ramakant Achrekar

With rich tributes pouring in from all quarters for Sachin Tendulkar on his 40th birthday on Wednesday, his childhood coach, Ramakant Achrekar, too conveyed his wishes and said the Indian batsman would live happily as long as he plays.

Speaking on behalf of the 80-year-old Dronacharya award winning coach, who is not keeping well after his hip bone fracture, daughter Kalpana told PTI: "My blessings are always there with him."

"May he's blessed with more and more runs. I want to see him play long and really long. He will live happily as long as he plays. Cricket is his passion," Achrekar said through Kalpana.

Tendulkar had paid a visit to Achrekar whom he considers his guru ahead of the Australia series, which India won 4-0.

"He along with (wife) Anjali had come to meet Baba. They spent some time quietly chatting," she said.

Achrekar keenly follows every game that Tendulkar plays.

"He sits right in front of the TV set and does not move when Tendulkar bats. He is eagerly waiting for the match on his birthday," she added.

Achrekar took Tendulkar from IES School, Bandra to Shardashram Vidyamandir (English) where he was the coach as he learnt the nuances of the game.

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It will be impossible to replace Sachin Tendulkar: Rahul Dravid

Former captain Rahul Dravid has said it will be impossible to replace Sachin Tendulkar once the senior India batsman retires from international cricket but added the game will go on.

"I don't think you should look to replace him, it will be impossible," Dravid said.

"There is a lot of talent there and they have to become who they want to be. When Sunil Gavaskar retired people said where would the next Sunil Gavaskar come from but then we had Sachin Tendulkar come through," Dravid told the BBC Radio 5 Live show.

Tendulkar has retired from ODI cricket last year but is expected to carry on with his Test career for some time.

"For a whole generation of people it is going to be strange because they have grown up with Sachin but it is inevitable. It will happen. People move on. It is life. Cricket will go on. It is bigger than any individual. The greats have played before him and will continue to play after him," he added.

Kapil Dev recalled the first time he watched Tendulkar bat.

"The first time I saw him bat was at the Brabourne Stadium (in Mumbai) and I was asked to bowl at him," recollected Kapil.

"I was told he would get encouragement from it. I said 'who is he?' and was told he had done well in school cricket and to just bowl a few balls. He looked like a 14 year-old. He played with decent balance and I was very nervous to bowl to him. He was too young for me to bowl to.

"I bowled a couple of quick ones. He flicked them off and in the net you could see he looked good at that age. His ability was there but could not dream this young boy would be one of the finest cricketers to walk this earth."

Asked to judge Tendulkar's greatest innings, former captains Sourav Ganguly and Gavaskar said it was his 114 against Australia at Perth in 1992.

India were heavily beaten but Tendulkar made 114 on a typically rock hard, bouncy pitch at the WACA.

"That is still the best. He was a young boy, about 18. It was a bouncy Perth pitch. We were hammered in that series but he smashed (Craig) McDermott and (Merv) Hughes on a quick WACA pitch," said Ganguly.

"We go to Australia quite a lot now and are used to those pitches but in those days we went once every six years and it was even harder to get used to the pace and bounce."

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Sachin has been sent by God to play cricket: Nayan Mongia

     Fifteen years have passed since Nayan Mongia watched and enjoyed at the other end as Sachin Tendulkar celebrated his 25th birthday with a glorious 134 in the Sharjah Cup final against Australia but the memories of it are as fresh as morning dew ahead of his former teammate's 40th birthday.

As the Mumbai Indians batsman turns 40 on Wednesday playing against Kolkata Knight Riders in an IPL clash here, the former wicketkeeper recalled the day in 1998, saying Tendulkar is born to play cricket.

"Having won the World Cup which was missing from his cabinet, Tendulkar almost has achieved everything. He should play as long as he is enjoying the game. No word is enough to describe the living legend. He has been sent by God to play cricket," Mongia told PTI from Baroda.

Paying rich tribute to Tendulkar, the former stumper said: "I wish him well on his 40th birthday. He is taking pressure of billions of Indian fans and has been playing consistently over the years, that speaks volumes about his career."

The very mention of birthday brings back the old memory of 1998 when Mongia shared an 89-run stand with Tendulkar who was in marauding form, sending Shane Warne to the cleaners to post his second consecutive century in the tri-nation final at Sharjah.

"It was a special strategy to promote me to No. 3 and get runs quickly so that I could take some pressure off him. We had discussed this in our team meeting. I am glad that it worked.

"He always had that x-factor in him. It was the best Aussie attack which was dominating world cricket at that moment. But he took them on with ease."

"The whole world and the crowd in the stadium watched it. But it's difficult to describe how special was it for me to witness it from the other end, as he clobbered Warne for boundaries and sixes. It was a treat to watch," Mongia said.

"It was certainly one of the best one-day innings ever. I remember it every bit as I fondly recall each and every day of my career for the country. Like Laxman, Sachin also enjoyed the the Aussie bowling attack," Mongia fondly recollected.

The Mohammad Azharuddin-led side indulged in double celebration as Tendulkar returned with both the Man of the Match and Man of the Series performances.

"We really had a good time. It is difficult to describe the feeling but his birthday made it a doubly special occasion," Mongia, who is now a Baroda Cricket Association selector, said.

Speaking about Indian cricket in general, Mongia said the team is going in the right direction after handing Australia a a 4-0 thrashing.

"What more could we have asked for after the 4-0 thrashing of the Aussies. Mahendra Singh Dhoni is doing a fine job at the helm. The youngsters are doing well and it's time for them to learn from Tendulkar," he said.

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Tillakaratne Dilshan wishes Sachin Tendulkar ahead of his 40th birthday

Wishing Sachin Tendulkar ahead of his 40th birthday on Wednesday, Sri Lankan batsman Tillakaratne Dilshan on Monday said the senior India cricketer should play more Indian Premier League and international matches to inspire youngsters.

"I watched Sachin bat yesterday against Delhi Daredevils and he got a half century. He looks to have returned to form. I only wish him that he plays more IPL and international matches, which will be good for youngsters," Dilshan said.

"He is a fantastic player and I have always enjoyed Sachin (bat)," he told reporters at the pre-match press conference ahead of Royal Challenger Bangalore's IPL match against Pune Warriors here on Tuesday.

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Gilchrist & Finch wishes Sachin Tendulkar ahead of his 40th birthday

Two days ahead of Sachin Tendulkar's 40th birthday, the legendary Adam Gilchrist recalled the veteran Indian's match-winning innings that had knocked the stuffing out of the Australian bowlers way back in 1998 at Sharjah.

Chasing a stiff target, Tendulkar single-handedly took India to title triumph by slamming a century on April 24, his birthday.

"I remember Sharjah 1998 when he belted us all over the park and won the game and cost us the title. Sachin that was a good one, mate," Gilchrist said after his side Kings XI Punjab's win over Pune Warriors in the IPL last night.

"Sachin is is a legend and what else can you say about him. Do wish him many happy returns."

When told that Tendulkar will be turning 40, Gilchrist said, "40th is it, yeah, okay. Doesn't get  any easy after 40, mate."

As the scribes present in the post-match conference posed the question on Tendulkar's birthday, Gilchrist had initially joked, "You are going to ask this question every year about his birthday."

Pune's Aaron Finch said cricket lovers admire Tendulkar immensely.

"The sheer amount of runs that he has been able to score over his career is phenomenal. Anyone who hasn't been to India probably can't understand the pressure every single time he comes out to bat and that's a phenomenal achievement what he has done for the game.

"I think especially in India and around the world he has single handedly carried forward the country's expectations on his shoulders for such a long time," Finch said about Tendulkar.

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Sachin Tendulkar Has Enriched the Cricketing World : Shane Bond

New Zealand's former pacer and current bowling coach Shane Bond said Tendulkar will go down as one of the game's all-time greats.

"His most important legacy would be the amazing run he has sustained for such a long time. It is just staggering for someone to be able to do that and for this reason alone Sachin will go down in the history as one of the game's all-time greats

"When you add to this the way he played, the number of matches he has won for India, and the fact that he has played all formats of the game with distinction and is still playing the IPL, you are left slack-jawed!," said Bond.

"I must say that Sachin has enriched world cricket immensely and has served the game well for 24 long years. And I am looking forward to enjoying what's left of this wonderful man's wonderful cricket career," he added.

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Sachin Tendulkar is the Greatest Ever : Ross Taylor

New Zealand batsman Ross Taylor was also all praise for Tendulkar's passion for the game and his mental toughness.

"It's Sachin's drive for success and his mental toughness that has sustained him. Nothing compares with his passion for the game and his hunger for success. He just loves to play cricket and has always enjoyed doing so. Unless you love the game as passionately as Sachin does, you cannot be around for as long as he has.

"I will forever remember Sachin as one of the greatest players of the game. In fact, it is something I look forward to telling my grandchildren in the future -- that I played against one of my childhood heroes. He has been one of the greatest cricketers ever and it has been a privilege playing with him and against him. It can surely rank as one of my cherished cricketing memories," said Taylor.

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Sachin Tendulkar is World’s No.1 Player in My List : Muttiah Muralitharan

Sri Lanka spin legend Muttiah Muralitharan said Tendulkar inspired him to play positively and aggressively.

"I saw the curly-haired cricketer for the first time in 1993. Soon after his debut a few years ago, he was the most spoken-about and discussed and was also touted as the next big thing in cricket. He was just 19 and I had not seen much of Sachin then. He didn't open the innings, he'd come out to bat at No. 5 in the one-dayers.

"When he stepped onto the ground, everyone was speaking about his talent, but I was wondering if this young bloke was really good enough to challenge us...I thought he is much greater than what people think, he was better than some of the established players," said the former Sri Lankan bowler.

"Sachin inspired me, because I thought if such a young player could play positively and aggressively, then I can surely put in hard work and contribute to the team success."

Muralitharan said Tendulkar was the world's no.1 player in his list.

"He is the world no.1 in my list simply because of the way he has performed at the highest level for such a long time. In that journey, I also take into account the number of years he's been on the road, records by his name. In fact, statistically too, he has performed much more than any other cricketer.

"He is a very quiet person, doesn't interact much, but I have always heard he is a great team man. He has always shown respect to his opponents, an important yardstick for a great cricketer," he said.

Muralitharan said the only bowler against whom Tendulkar ever struggled was Sri Lankan spinner Ajantha Mendis.

"I don't think he struggled a lot against opposition because he knows how to handle and play bowlers. But the only player who I saw him struggle against was Ajantha Mendis, when he first saw him during India's tour to Sri Lanka (in 2008)", he said.

"For the very first time I saw Sachin couldn't pick a bowler. But it was the only time and with his desire to outplay the opponent, Sachin analysed videos of Ajantha and picked him well in the next series," said Murali.

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