Friday 6th November 2009
"Sachin left a crucial job unfinished"
Former Test star Sanjay Manjrekar tells Mobile ESPN’s Faisal Kamal a win would have made Sachin Tendulkar’s milestone sweeter.
By Faisal Kamal
Former Mumbai Ranji team-mates and then colleagues on the Indian team, Sanjay Manjrekar is raving about Sachin Tendulkar, but only just.
Underlying Tendulkar's commitment for India, Manjrekar says even after his stunning 175, Tendulkar could not have celebrated his 45th ODI century "because India lost."
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"Sachin must be kicking himself for getting out and leaving a bit too many runs for the lower order batsmen to get," said Manjrekar, obliquely criticizing Tendulkar for not finishing a job well begun.
Chasing 351 for a win at Rajiv Gandhi International stadium, Hyderabad, Tendulkar was the seventh Indian batsman out on 332. Nineteen runs shy of victory, Tendulkar's exit exposed a nervy tail that Australia polished off to score a thrilling 3-run victory.
Manjrekar slammed Tendulkar for once again failing to add the finishing touches. "I am sure, at the end of it, Sachin would have been disappointed that he did not finish the game for India. There have been instances in the past when Sachin has left things unfinished and it happened once again," Manjrekar said.
Manjrekar was all praise for Tendulkar, who became the first man to cross 17000 ODI runs. "Sachin showed tremendous resilience. Every time he scores runs for India and every time you see him sweating it out in the middle you wonder what keeps the little man going."
Studded with 19 boundaries and four sixes, Manjrekar was all praise for the 36-year-old Little Master whose body language reflected the exuberance of a 20-year-old even after two decades of gruelling international cricket.
"Tendulkar paced his knock with ease and a youthful zest. He played a marathon knock with a lot of grit and determination. Even after so many years of cricket, Sachin hasn't really lost his hunger."
Manjrekar is also excited with the crowd response to Thursday's fifth ODI in Hyderabad. The massive turnout at the Rajiv Gandhi Stadium was a great advertisement for One-day Internationals. Manjrekar said, "It's great news that ODIs involving India are alive and kicking."
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