Yet another record, yet another player?

Sachin Tendulkar has reached 17000 runs milestone. Rather it is yet another milestone-a personal achievement at best. From early days when I was in school, I never thought that any player from Mumbai played for the team. Team spirit was never drummed into them. They seemed to play only for records and match was totally forgotten. Sachin is no different and will be the first person to get away from a fight in cricket. Just when fans expect him to go to the finishing line, he will inevitably fail like the famous Chennai test vs Pakistan in 1999 and I guess that will happen today as well. Cricinfo round table did agree that Lara is the best. More than opinion, data speaks for all and the match at Kensington Oval proves the class of Lara beyond doubt.

I remember that some of my classmates in school used to say that I am nitpicking Sachin because I am jealous of him and that while I could just play for 'City', almost at the same age Sachin is playing for the country. I am sure that I am the last person to feel jealous of another deserving person but the point is that I always thought Sachin does not deserve so much credit. The only thing that I like about Sachin is his humility. Especially in India, he has been a role model in handling fame and despite so many records, always had his feet on ground. There are two innings that come to my mind in his entire career - his century at Perth and his century and partnership with Mohammed Azharuddin at Cape Town.

It has to be mentioned that Sachin is not captaincy material (no matter how many times and long commentators are going to commend him). I am not very particular about records (Lies, Utter Lies, Statistics after all) and think that Kapil Dev and Sourav Ganguly have been the two best cricketers that India has produced. Of course, Ian Chappell did mention that

the difference between Indian fans and Australian fans is that if India lose but Tendulkar makes a hundred, most of the Indian fans will go home delirious. But if Ricky Ponting makes a hundred and Australia lose, a lot of Australians will go home and kick the cat.

Indian fans can be that ridiculous. I remember watching World Cup match at my college, Ganguly and Dravid were on song but most people in audience wanted Dravid to get out. Why? Sachin can come and blast his way to a 50. Dravid did get out, but Sachin also got out in 2 :( That is how Indians are.

p.s. India indeed lost the match. QED ;)