The Hindu : Sport / Cricket : Straight drive is my favourite stroke: Tendulkar

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Saturday, Jul 03, 2004

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Straight drive is my favourite stroke: Tendulkar

By Sanjay Rajan

CHENNAI, JULY 2. It is not often that Sachin Tendulkar talks about his batting. When he does, no one interrupts.

The icon of Indian cricket is here for the Asia Cup probables camp, which begins at the Chidambaram Stadium on Saturday.

The Hindu caught up with him for this exclusive interview.

Question: You realised in Australia that teams are going to resort to a defensive field and `widish' bowling in order to restrain you. Are you going to counter this positively or play the waiting game?

Answer: It depends on the frame of mind I am in at that point. Australia tried this when it toured India in 2001. It was, I think, the third morning of the third Test in Chennai and I was batting on four or something, and Steve Waugh had a deep point. So, I wouldn't term teams resorting to defensive fields a recent phenomenon.

If you remember, Nasser Hussain also set defensive fields when England was here. It was bound to happen, I'd say. Obviously, teams are going to try and make things as difficult as possible and I'll have to learn to deal with those things. The opposition is trying to figure you out, and you are trying to figure them out. That's what Test cricket is all about. I don't have a set plan to counter this. You need to be flexible.

Q: Fifteen years and more than 20,000 International runs later, have you ever sat back and reassessed yourself as a batsman?

A: I do it always. When I'm batting well and my bat-swing is perfect, I try and find the reason behind it. Similarly, when things don't feel right, I try and figure out where I am going wrong. You learn by comparing both phases because you pick up the little things which actually help you become a better player. It might not be a technical change; it might be a mental thing. But then, you, nevertheless, gain from it.

Q: Do you regard yourself a better player of fast bowling or spin bowling?

A: I'm pretty much comfortable handling both. It's about watching the ball. And so it doesn't really matter if it's coming at 150kmph or 79kmph. Eventually, handling either is not easy, for it's not about speed; it's about concentration and focus.

Q: Which is your favourite stroke and the least favourite one?

A: I love playing the straight drive. Least favourite... I don't know. I love playing all the shots.

Q: For many years you have approached your innings on the basis of playing the ball on its merit. Did you ever think of innovative play, that is, teasing the bowlers into submission?

A: I've done it in one-day cricket, when on various occasions, I've played pre-determined shots. But that's only because limited-overs cricket is such, and you have to try and keep up with its pace. At times, pre-determined shots work well and people appreciate it; sometimes you get out to it.

Q: You have played some outstanding bowlers in your time. Can you single out one fast bowler and one spinner you'd prefer having on your side?

A: It's a tricky question. Well, I've played plenty of bowlers, many of them have been exceptionally talented. To name just two would be unfair. I began my international career playing Imran, Wasim, Waqar — all three were great bowlers — not to forget Qadir, a brilliant leg-spinner. In the following series, I was up against Richard Hadlee and the deceptive Danny Morrison.

Down the years, I played the West Indian quickies Walsh and Ambrose, the South Africans Allan Donald and Shaun Pollock, the Australians McDermott, McGarth, Gillespie and Lee. Not to forget the spinners Warne and Sri Lanka's Muralitharan. All top class bowlers. How do you single out from an array such as this? It's difficult, very tough. I respect each one for their skills.

Q: Considering the fact that your domestic record is outstanding, if you had faced the Indian Test bowlers more in the National competitions, would you have made more runs in International cricket?

A: There is no time for `ifs' and `buts' in cricket. As I said earlier, it takes just one delivery to dismiss a batsman. It could be any opposition. You can't underestimate anyone. Talking about our bowling attack, I have full confidence and faith in it. The boys are doing a marvellous job. They are young, talented and disciplined.

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