It may be sacrilegious to say this, especially to Australians, but Sachin Tendulkar is the best batsman who ever took guard.
His versatility, longevity and productivity are so far ahead of his closest rival in the game. Just as Don Bradman’s Test average of 99.94 was more than 50 per cent better than anyone else, so Tendulkar’s tally of 99 international hundreds is similarly out of reach of his nearest competitor, Ricky Ponting, who has 69.
Master: Sachin Tendulkar has a strong claim to be ranked more highly than Sir Donald Bradman
When you factor in Tendulkar’s prowess in all countries and all conditions – averaging around 50 in every major country apart fromPakistan – and the burden of expectation of a billion people, he must be regarded as the best ever.
Bradman was extraordinary, but he only ever played in Australia andEngland. Bradman watched Tendulkar bat, famously saying that the way he fashioned runs reminded him of himself. There are similarities – the short stature, the stillness at the crease, the compactness, the control, the total insatiability.
It was often said that Bradman seemed inherently to know where the bowler would direct the next delivery, and Tendulkar appears to have the same gift. Often he seems to be in position to play a shot earlier than his peers. Perhaps that is just because his reflexes are sharper.
Tendulkar is blessed with exceptional balance and timing. He never seems hurried at the crease: a 90mph Brett Lee delivery was calmly upper-cut almost for six in the quarter-final in Ahmedabad. He glides smoothly into position, his bat and body perfectly aligned, the bat apparently an extension of his arms. He strokes, or occasionally punches the ball, rarely assaults it. With deft wrist work, he angles or flicks the ball into space. He dissects bowling attacks rather than destroying them.
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