The Hindu : Sport : Sachin welcomes constructive criticism

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Sunday, Oct 29, 2006
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Sachin welcomes constructive criticism

Vijay Lokapally

Dreams of winning the World Cup keep him going

— Photo: S. Subramanium

ELDER STATESMAN: Sachin Tendulkar feels India has the potential to win the World Cup.

MOHALI: Sachin Tendulkar welcomes criticism, but it should not be the knee-jerk variety or without any cricketing logic. He has no problems with criticism of the team or players per se and accepts it just as players enjoy praise when they play well. He seems to be wary of criticism turning into a concerted campaign.

Taking time off his Champions Trophy schedule, Tendulkar spoke to The Hindu, clarifying the import of some of his earlier statements and reiterated his motivation to continue to play the game.

A fan feeling let down whenever the team does not do well is understandable and, perhaps, even justified, he feels.

"I can understand the fans' expectations. Even their anger should motivate us since they want us to do well. They have always supported us but I would request them to show some consideration and sympathy when the team is not doing well. A bit of well-meaning push will spur us. I know we have great support from our fans and I am sure they will understand our plight," he said.

Unfulfilled dream

For him the World Cup is the biggest motivating factor. "As I have often said, winning the World Cup will give me the greatest joy. For me that's an unfulfilled dream. We came very close to winning it in South Africa three years ago. I honestly believe we have the potential to win it, but it's going to be a great challenge. If and when we achieve it, it's going to be a marvellous feeling," he said.

Tendulkar is not given to extremes and his analytical mind puts things in perspective. He sees the bigger picture and he wants cricket buffs to understand that. "The game has undergone some subtle changes and it is no longer as predictable as it used to be. Who would have thought that South Africa would successfully chase 434. Yet, it has not revolutionised the game entirely because the basics still rule it. For me the basics are still the key in any form of the game."

He is of the opinion that the game is seeing some welcome changes, as a lot of planning goes into field placements, etc. "One can notice these variations in the game if one is a keen observer. For instance, the bowlers have developed angles. It is not like in the early days. Earlier, you had to remember your mistakes and play them in your mind. Now you can play them digitally and electronically.

"It can work the other way too. We can also study the bowlers and decide on what kind of shots to play. There is no doubt that today there are more mind games unlike in my first 10 years or so," he said.

Tendulkar says there will always be changes in any game and cricket is no exception. In cricket there are two main aspects — bowling and batting — with the third dimension, fielding, also catching up in importance. A team has to strike the right balance of all three aspects in order to do well.

Experimentation

"In a well-balanced side, the batters should play their role, but nothing should look mechanical or monotonous. The idea is that you should make the opposition think constantly by not being predictive. The experiments must take them by surprise."

Sachin, who these days speaks like an elder statesman, wants to be a freelancer, not bound by any specific role. "There is nothing that I have not done over the years. I still enjoy the dressing room atmosphere. More so when I interact with younger teammates since they only talk cricket with me. There are times when I also get some useful information on my own game from my younger colleagues. That's how I learnt my cricket and played it," he said.

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