Sachin Tendulkar's absence from ODIs unfortunate, feels Brett Lee

Admiring Sachin Tendulkar for his "clockwork-like" mannerisms on the field, retired Australian pacer Brett Lee rued that the veteran Indian batsman will not been seen in the One-Day arena.

"Obviously, all good things at some stage must come to an end. Sachin is an absolute legend. He's been around for so long now and unfortunately we won't see Sachin playing One-Day cricket anymore," Lee said in a statement.

"He (Tendulkar) had an aura about him as well and you could tell he was a great player. Every time Sachin went out to bat he looked the part. He's always well dressed and prepared. He has his mannerisms at the crease, things every player does to get in a mindset and it's like clockwork," said Lee who has had some absorbing duels with Tendulkar in his playing days.

"He loves taking the ball on. He takes it personal, he wants to be the person who will go out there and do the job for his team, whether it is to set up or seal a win."

Lee said that in his international career Brian Lara was the only player, other than Tendulkar, who had pushed him hard to get the wicket.

"He (Tendulkar) is just so naturally gifted at what he can do. It's a nice stat to know that I've got him out nine times in ODIs. I think that when I played against Tendulkar I always gave a little bit extra if that was possible. I always find myself the best when I'm playing against the best. I think that brings out the best in me.

"Playing against him was a good test of your skills.

Lara is probably the only other guy in world cricket that pushed me like Tendulkar."

Lee said that it would be a sad day for the game when Tendulkar decides to end his international career by quitting Test cricket.

"I'm not sure when the actual day will come but hes obviously moved away from one day cricket now. Hopefully he enjoys the time off with his family and I guess when the time does come for him to move on from Test Cricket, it'll be a sad day for cricket."

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Exclusive Pics : Fans Miss Sachin Tendulkar at Jawarharlal Nehru Stadium

THATSCRICKET : There were posters of Sachin Tendulkar at the Jawarharlal Nehru Stadium on Tuesday. All those said they missed the Master Blaster, who has a good bowling record at the venue! Tendulkar, who retired from ODIs last month, was missed by the crowd during the second match between India and England. Another player who was missed by the crowd was local boy S Sreesanth.


"We miss you Sachin" was the common line chanted in the stadium.

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I enjoyed bowling to Sachin: Saqlain Mushtaq

Former Pakistan off-spinner Saqlain Mushtaq said it was an honour playing against India batting great Sachin Tendulkar and he enjoyed bowling to the master blaster.

Mushtaq, who played his last international match in 2004, said the cricket world has suffered a huge loss with the retirement of Tendulkar.

"The world of One-Day cricket has suffered a huge loss with Sachin Tendulkar's retirement from one day internationals. There will never be another cricketer like Tendulkar. He's been at the top of the game for twenty three years which is simply amazing and the way he has conducted himself throughout his career has been exemplary and a lesson to all young cricketers around the world," Mushtaq was quoted as saying by PakPassion.net MOnday.

On playing against Tendulkar, Mushtaq said: "I feel honoured to have played cricket in an era when Tendulkar played. It's been an honour to have bowled to Sachin. I've dismissed him, been hit for four, hit for six by Sachin, beaten him with deliveries. He's out thought me at the crease and sometimes I've got the better of him and it's always been an absolute pleasure."

Mushtaq recalled the time he spent with Tendulkar in England.

"I've always got on very well with Sachin and when I was playing for Sussex alongside Mushtaq Ahmed, the touring Indian team was playing a three day match against the County. Most of the Indian squad had dinner at Mushtaq's house every night during that match and I was present too. We had a few great evenings with the Indian squad in Sussex, all sat on the floor eating and talking about past matches that we had played in and it was an honour to be in the company of Sachin, memories that I still cherish," he said.

On resumption of cricket ties between India and Paksitan, Mushtaq added: "It's fantastic news that India and Pakistan are on the verge of a limited overs series and I sincerely hope that this is the start of regular cricket between the two teams. There's nothing quite like the Indo-Pak cricketing rivalry. The Ashes is also a huge rivalry but I think India versus Pakistan is a bigger cricketing rivalry."

© IANS

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Words Not Enough to Describe about Sachin : Jayasurya

They have been fierce on-field competitors but like a true champion, former Sri Lankan captain Sanath Jayasuriya acknowledged that Sachin Tendulkar was a "true champion on and off the field."

"I don't have words to express Sachin's greatness. I have had good experience while playing against him for Sri Lanka and with him for Mumbai Indians (in IPL). Both have been wonderful experiences," the prolific opener told PTI Bhasha from Sri Lanka.

"Everyone knows that what a wonderful cricketer he is. He is a top class player. His most admirable quality is that he is very simple and humble man. He is a champion on and off the field. His behaviour is exemplary," said Jayasuriya.

Jayasuriya feels that Tendulkar's ability to handle success and failures makes him cut above the rest and something that aspiring cricketers should look upto.

"Despite being on the top of his career, the way he handled failures is commendable. Young cricketers can learn how he carried himself throughout his career."

Asked about the timing of his retirement from ODIs, Jayasuriya said that this is an individual's decision.

"Retirement is his decision. He might have thought that his time is over. It's a personal decision," he said.

While many think that Tendulkar's records will remain untouched, Jayasuriya begs to differ. "Records are meant to be broken. You never know there might be somebody who can break his batting records in future.

It will be good for the game," he said.

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Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis salutes "special" Tendulkar

Famed Pakistan pace duo Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis on Monday, paid rich tribute to Indian batting maestro Sachin Tendulkar, labelling him "the greatest batsman of this era".

Tendulkar, 39, announced his retirement from one-day internationals on Sunday after scoring 18,426 runs in 463 matches with 49 centuries -- all three world records for most runs, matches and hundreds.

"I don't say that a batsman like him will not come but he was the greatest batsman of this era and to maintain the zeal and fitness for 23 years was a big achievement for him," said Waqar, who retired in 2004.

"I also feel proud that I played against him and found him a great player and a nice gentleman."

Wasim said Tendulkar's records spoke volumes about his achievements.

"It will be tough to match them in the years to come," Wasim told AFP. "He was a special talent and a very special cricketer."

Tendulkar made his Test debut against India's arch-rivals Pakistan in Karachi in 1989 and Wasim recalled mocking the young batsman with his bowling partner.

"Sachin was really 16 at the time when he came to Pakistan in 1989 and Waqar and I thought, 'What will this 16-year-old do against us?'" he said.

"I hit him on the mouth but he showed a lot of gumption and courage to score a fifty in the fourth Test in Sialkot and after that innings we realised that he is a special talent."

As the leading batsman for cricket-mad India, Tendulkar carried the weight of a nation's expectations on his shoulders, but Wasim said he handled the burden well.

"Sachin always played under a lot of pressure from the billions of Indian fans and the kind of consistency he showed proved that he handled those pressures and huge expectations admirably well," said Wasim.

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Exclusive Pics : Sachin Tendulkar with his Family at Mussoorie

After announcing retirement from one-day cricket, Sachin Tendulkar headed straight for hill station Mussoorie in Uttarakhand, where he is likely to celebrate Christmas and the New Year.

Hours after the news about his retirement form ODIs broke, people were taken by surprise as the batting legend landed at the Jollygrant Airport on Sunday along with his wife Anajli, son Arjun and daughter Sara.

Congress MP Priya Dutt was also accompanying Tendulkar, who left straight for Mussoorie after landing at the airport, much to the disappointment of journalists present there.

Tendulkar arrived at a family friend Sanjay Narang's hotel named Rugby at Mussoorie at about six in the evening.

The legend used to visit Mussoorie along with family to celebrate Christmas and the new year until a few years ago but had not been able to do so due to his busy schedule for the last two years.(PTI)

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Learnt a lot from Sachin Tendulkar,will Miss him : Dhoni

Terming Sachin Tendulkar's contribution to cricket as immense, Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni Monday said he had learnt a lot from the batting maestro.

"I learnt a lot from him whenever I got a chance to bat in the ODI (One-Day International) format. I think his contribution is immense and it will be difficult to replace him," Dhoni said a day after Sachin announced his retirement from ODIs in Mumbai on Sunday.

Admitting that the team would definitely miss the master blaster, Dhoni said it would be difficult to replace Sachin, who has been an inspiration for thousands of boys to take to the game and made youngsters learn a lot when they joined the team.

"We will also be very disappointed not to see Sachin score his 50th century and 100th half-century in the ODIs, as he had retired with a world record of 49 hundreds and 96 fifties," Dhoni said ahead of the first India-Pakistan T20 tie Tuesday at the Chinnaswamy stadium here.

Among the many things Dhoni and other players learnt from Sachin were how to prepare for each and every ODI, how to accept defeats and how to be humble in life.

"All these things helped me personally. It is good that Sachin is still playing in one of the formats (Tests) as there is plenty for youngsters to learn from him," Dhoni recalled.

Asked if he had thought of persuading Sachin to continue in the ODIs, Dhoni said he did not as retiring from the shorter version of the game was the little master's personal decision.

"No. It was his personal decision and we respect it," Dhoni added.

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Video : Ganguly & VVS Laxman Pay Tribute to Sachin Tendulkar

Batting legend Sachin Tendulkar ranked the World Cup win as the best moment of his career and said that the Indian team should start the preparatory process to defend the World Cup in 2015.

Tendulkar, who announced his retirement from the One-Day Internationals on Sunday, said winning the World Cup was his dream and that he felt blessed to have fulfilled it in 2011. "I have decided to retire from the One-Day format of the game. I feel blessed to have fulfilled the dream of being part of a World Cup wining Indian team," he said.

Sourav Ganguly on Sachin’s ODI Retirement :

VVS Laxman on Sachin’s ODI Retirement :

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Words are not enough to sing Sachin Tendulkar's praise: Pakistan cricket team

The Pakistani players on Sunday fell short of words while describing Sachin Tendulkar's impact on world cricket and said the Indian batting legend will be missed sorely in One-day cricket following his retirement.

Tendulkar called it a day on his 23-year-old One-day career on the eve of the series against arch-rivals Pakistan.

Pakistan fast bowler Sohail Tanvir said he enjoyed bowling against Tendulkar because the margin of error was so slim that he could dispatch even good deliveries to the fence.

"In every cricketer's life there comes a day when he decides to hang up his shoes. Words are not enough to describe his achievements for India. He deserves highest of respects in world cricket," he said.

Tanvir wished luck to Sachin and hoped he would smash many more centuries for India in Test matches.

Pakistan captain Mohammad Hafeez said the players of his country feel sad that Tendulkar will not be seen on the field in ODIs.

"To be honest we (Pakistanis) will miss him and feel really sad that he will not play anymore international ODIs for India. I admire the man for his sheer domineering character. He rattled all kinds of bowlers around the world," Hafeez said.

"Sachin is a great entertainer of cricket and wish him good luck for the future," he added.

Another Pakistan quick bowler Umar Gul said the presence of Tendulkar in the India team has immensely contributed in nurturing young cricketers such as Virat Kohli and Suresh Raina.

"I am suer Virat and Raina have learnt a lot from the maestro," he said.

The young batting sensation Umar Amin said he would have loved to play against Tendulkar in the upcoming series.

"I played against India in 2010 Asia Cup, but unfortunately he wasn't there. I would like to say only one thing that if cricket is the religion then Sachin is God," Amin said.

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Cricketers Pay Tribute to Sachin Tendulkar

Batting legend Sachin Tendulkar ranked the World Cup win as the best moment of his career and said that the Indian team should start the preparatory process to defend the World Cup in 2015.

Tendulkar, who announced his retirement from the One-Day Internationals on Sunday, said winning the World Cup was his dream and that he felt blessed to have fulfilled it in 2011. "I have decided to retire from the One-Day format of the game. I feel blessed to have fulfilled the dream of being part of a World Cup wining Indian team," he said.

Cricketers tweet :

Ashwin : It was a privilege to play odi cricket with the greatest ever to have played this game.And I was privileged to be a part of his ultimate moment of winning the world cup at home.Sachin, here's wishing you all the best and may I say odi cricket will be poorer without you.

Yuvraj : Emotional time ! Letting sachin go from one dayers ! 18 thousand plus runs ur jaw drops when u c those records ,master u will always live ! In my heart and fellow indians! The pride of our country I salute to u for ur contribution to indian cricket @sachin_rt.

Raina : The reason for playing cricket. The reason for watching cricket. Sachin Tendulkar..... No words.. Love you Paji

Ojha : The pride of our country ,I salute you for ur contribution to indian cricket @sachin_rt".

KP : Statistics NEVER lie! They tell a very true story.. Well done Sachin! What an incredible ODI career.. #thebest

Amla : Conclusion of a sterling ODI career from a wonderful batsman. Congrats Sachin Tendulkar.

Harbhajan Singh : Sachin tendulkar a great batsman.great human being.a great friend.great man to look up 2.proud indian.Real son of india.I salute u nd love u

Rohit Sharma: My mentor my hero my friend and my reason for falling in love with the sport. Truly heartbroken,The mortal we call GOD he earned that tittle. I feel the luckiest person alive to know him and played alongside him,My favourite sachin tendulkar moment in Odi has to be getting an Odi cap from him in Ireland and (contd),Of course the crucial partnership we shared in Australia during the CB series final (which we won)

Damien Fleming : “Whats been best Sachin Tendulkar innings in ODI ?” His 134 v us in Sharjah final April 24 1998 #BirthdayBash #PeakSachin

Ravi Bopara : Well done to @sachin_rt on his amazing ODI career. Inspiration to millions if not billions. We will never see another Sachin in our lifetime

Jeremy Snape : #Sachin retires from ODI's as the grand master. He delivered under HUGE expectation, inspired a global generation + transcended the sport

R Petersen : What an ODI career by @sachin_rt !!!! A true legend.Congratulations on all that you've achieved and people you've inspired

Dean Jones : "Whats your favourite Sachin moment?” His hundred v Aust in Perth 1992.
"last test in Australia?” Sadly it was ! SRT played well.. He was just a kid!

Besides Narain Karthikeyan Tweets :
End of an era as @sachin_rt retires from one-dayers. Hats off to 23 years of cricketing genius!

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Greatful to all for the Love & Support : Sachin Tendulkar

Batting legend Sachin Tendulkar ranked the World Cup win as the best moment of his career and said that the Indian team should start the preparatory process to defend the World Cup in 2015.

Tendulkar, who announced his retirement from the One-Day Internationals on Sunday, said winning the World Cup was his dream and that he felt blessed to have fulfilled it in 2011. "I have decided to retire from the One-Day format of the game. I feel blessed to have fulfilled the dream of being part of a World Cup wining Indian team," he said.

Tendulkar, who represented India in six World Cups, advised the Indian cricket team to start the process to defend the title. "The preparatory process to defend the World Cup in 2015 should begin early and in right earnest," he said.

"I would like to wish the team all the very best for the future. I am eternally grateful to all my well-wishers for their unconditional support and love over the years," he added.

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