After the Indian cricket team’s Australia tour, I am finding it hard to resist expressing my opinion on Sachin Tendulkar, even though I usually refrain from writing on cricket — being the vice president of BCCI. A cursory analysis of the whole tour makes Sachin’s impression on it quite evident. Take his scores out of the two finals of the tri-series and the result would have been completely different. I want to request his critics, particularly former players and columnists, to be discreet before writing him off.

Despite being the oldest member of the team, I have seen him befriend the youngest members. His records speak for him. It is therefore a shame that he is asked questions on his commitment and capability to play in his own country. As much as I know him, he will walk away of his own volition the day he realises he is not able to give his 100 per cent to his game, without need for any advice or nudge from commentators or columnists. Until that day, we should relish every opportunity to see the world’s greatest cricketer today in action.

Sachin as a sportsman and person is bigger than Sachin as a batsman. Few people remember that after his Ferrari car was exempted from import duty, he still chose to pay it. Only he sought permission from the home ministry to wear the Indian tricolour on his helmet. I have seen no other player command as much respect from cricketers the world over. He is the darling of the overseas crowd and I have seen hundreds of foreigners queuing up for his autograph. Despite his unquestioned status as the greatest batsman in the world, he remains an introvert who is committed only to cricket and his family.

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