Tendulkar’s big Test

Sachin Tendulkar's run sequence in Test cricket of late (15, 8, 25, 13, 19 and 17 since his 80 in January's Sydney Test) has been disappointing.

Tendulkar's big Test

Sachin Tendulkar’s run sequence in Test cricket of late (15, 8, 25, 13, 19 and 17 since his 80 in January’s Sydney Test) has been disappointing.

Age and footwork have certainly caught up with him even though the tank is full when it comes to enthusiasm and spirit. It was disappointing to see him bowled by Doug Bracewell not because he has got out in that fashion 50 times (the number should be no surprise considering he has walked the crease 313 times), but because he couldn’t use his feet well.

Tendulkar won’t be dropped unless his form is wretched, but he would do well to ensure that the evening of his career is not marred by turbulence in a batting sense. One never associated the batting genius with scratching around which he has done in the Hyderabad and Bangalore Tests against New Zealand. Perhaps a combination of good bowling, a lack of positive thinking and slower reflexes has caused this situation.

No one would want to remember the best all-round batsman this country has produced as one who overstayed his term.

While, Tendulkar’s decision to prolong his one-day career is hard to comprehend considering he achieved that mega objective of being part of a World Cup-winning team, he is still an asset to the Test team which now has to cope without the likes of Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman.

His form has not been disastrous, but a big score beckons in the second innings of the current Test in Bangalore and the critical Test series against England and Australia. The series against Australia would make for a good swansong, but the ebb and flow of cricket ensures no one is a prophet. In any case, Tendulkar must display all his talent and ability this season which could be the most important one of all his 23 seasons in international cricket. u00a0

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