Cricketer Sachin Tendulkar said statements elevating him to the top of the world’s all-time cricket greats was a bit off the mark.In a press conference in Mumbai, Sachin said that despite his achievements, Sir Don Bradman remains the best batsman in the annals of world cricket.
Among those who paid him compliments was former England captain Nasir Hussain, who was quoted to have said that Sachin was greater than Bradman.
Sachin said he disagreed.
“Even though the records in test cricket and one day matches stands in my name, still I cannot definitely be compared with the great Sir Don Bradman,” he said.
“The period during the time when Sir Bradman batted against world famous bowlers at that time was different and indeed very remarkable. No doubt he was a great cricketer. In present time test and one day matches are played in large numbers and therefore runs are being scored in plenty. During the time of Sir Bradman, the frequency of test matches was limited, and hence the records he created in those times, were bigger than mine,” he added.
Because of Sachin's latest feat, State Chief Minister Ashok Chavan recommended that the federal government confers the country’s highest civilian Bharat Ratna award on him. The proposal was seconded by Shiv Sena working president Uddhav Thackeray.
But to Sachin, it's still too early to rest on his laurels.
“I am aware that Bharat Ratna is the nation’s highest civilian award. It’s everyone’s desire to bag this award. Therefore it's but natural that I too feel the same way. But at the moment I would like to concentrate fully on cricket only,” he said.
