22 December 2010

Sachin never treated the game as source of income: Ranatunga

The glamour and glitz of Twenty20 has had its adverse affect on Test cricket and only someone of Sachin Tendulkar's stature can help restore the waning popularity of the traditional form of the game, feels former Sri Lankan captain Arjuna Ranatunga.

The Lankan captain lavished praise on Sachin for not treating the game as a source of income.

"Sachin is an iconic figure. We need cricketers like him to save Test cricket. As long as Sachin is playing, I am sure Test cricket is safe," Rantunga said from Colombo while congratulating the champion batsman on his 50th Test century.

"He has been playing for more than 20 years now. I think he is a rare cricketer who does not consider cricket as a source of income. This is the secret of his longevity and phenomenal success as well," the cricketer turned politician said.

The skipper of the 1996 World cup winning Lankan team also believes that some of the greatest attributes of Sachin like dedication, commitment and passion for the game is lacking in cricketers of modern era.

"Sachin has sacrificed a lot to reach the pinnacle. He has sacrificed playing T20 international cricket which is all about money and glamour.

"I have not seen Sir Don playing but Sachin is the best batman in modern era. It is not fair to compare two legends of different generation. Bradman was the best in his era and Sachin is the best in his era," said Ranatunga.

Rantunga also dismissed criticism that Sachin hasn't been a match-winner or a finisher of the game.

"I don't endorse these kind of media generated arguments. This man has scored so many runs, centuries and has played several crucial knocks. What else do you expect from him?" said the burly former Lankan captain.

He feels that it was privilege to compete with Sachin for more than a decade.

"Sachin is very humble. A real gentleman. He is very down to earth despite his stupendous achievements. I consider myself fortunate that I have played enough cricket against him," said Ranatunga who had retired after the 1999 World Cup.

Ranatunga feels that it's entirely upto Sachin as to how long he wants to continue playing.

"It is upto him as to how long he wants to play. As far as I am concerned, we are fortunate that we can watch him bat. Once he retires, the cricket fraternity will need him even more as he will remain the biggest ambassador of the game," Ranatunga concluded.

Search This Blog

100th international century 14000 Test Runs 15000 Test Runs 20 years in cricket 2011 World Cup 2011 World Cup Memories 39th Birthday 44th ODI Century 45th ODI Century 46th ODI Century 47th ODI Century 49th ODI Century 50th Test Century About 100th ton About Sachin Awards Book about Sachin Brett Lee on Sachin Charity Coca cola tribute to Sachin Tendulkar Congratulated Cricketers about Sachin Dedicated to Sachin Tendulkar Dhoni about Sachin Feroz Shah Kotla record Fourth innings record Ganguly on Sachin Inspiration Interview IPL IPL 2011 Javed Miandad about Sachin Milestone ODI ODI Career ODI Centuries ODI Country wise Performance ODI double century ODI Every Match ODI Half-Centuries ODI Man of the Match ODI Milestone ODI Position Wise Performance ODI Statistics ODI Year wise Performance Only for Sachin Tendulkar Padma Vibhushan Players about Sachin Ranking Records Sachin Sachin about 2011 World Cup Sachin about BMW Sachin about Critics Sachin about Dravid retirement Sachin about F1 Sachin about his career Sachin about his coach Sachin about his First trip to Australia Sachin about other players Sachin about SCG Sachin About VVS Laxman Sachin and Achrekar Sachin and BMW Sachin and Saina Nehwal Sachin and Schumacher Sachin at Australia Sachin at Buddh circuit Sachin at F1 Sachin at Indian GP Sachin at Ranji Trophy match Sachin at the Rajya Sabha Sachin Awards Sachin biography Sachin Career Sachin Donate Sachin Dravid pair Sachin run out controversy Sachin says Sachin statue Sachin Tendulkar about Arjun Tendulkar Sachin Tendulkar and Yuvraj Singh Sachin Tendulkar at Parliament Sachin Tendulkar House Sachin Tendulkar Interview Sachin Tendulkar presented with Order of Australia membership Sachin Tendulkar retires from ODIs Sachin Tendulkar waves chequered flag Sachin the Best Sachin with England PM David Cameron Sachin with Federer Sachin with World Cup Sachin's 90s Sachin's Childhood days Sachin's Favourite Sachin's fifth Australia tour Sachin's unique records Sachin's View Test Test Career Test Centuries Test Country wise Performance Test Milestone Test Partnership Test Position Wise Performance Test Records Test Statistics Test Year wise Performance Ton of ton Viv Richards about Sachin Wimbledon Wimbledon 2011 World Cup Century World Record

Followers