Saturday's second day action of the India vs New Zealand Test match at Bangalore brought up two extremes of the longevity factor in Sachin Tendulkar's 23-year international career.
When the Mumbai master was bowled by Doug Bracewell, statisticians lost no time in informing cricket lovers that Doug’s uncle – spinner John – had dismissed Tendulkar in the Christchurch Test of the 1990 series in New Zealand via a catch by wicketkeeper Ian Smith.
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Sachin departs... bowled for 17
Imagine a player being around for such a long time that he now plays against an opponent’s nephew. However, pundits and experts pointed to the age factor in Tendulkar getting clean bowled (for the 50th time) – by the younger Bracewell for 17. He was dismissed in similar mode during the first Test at Hyderabad too.
Websites reported that Sunil Gavaskar and Sanjay Manjrekar opined on Saturday that age is taking a toll on Tendulkar’s footwork. The 39-year-old veteran was bowled for the 50th time in his 190-Test career.
Alter’s anguish
Actor Tom Alter, a cricket buff, wrote on Firstpost.com: “Tendulkar has just been bowled by Bracewell — not bowled, but cleaned-up — totally — if anyone from a club side had played a shot like that in the nets, he would have been asked to step-down and Tendulkar plays it in a Test.
“I am not angry. I am in deep pain. Pain of having watched Tendulkar play one of the most pathetic Test innings of his amazing, amazing career.
Four runs from 41 balls at lunch – beaten at least four times — scratchy, tentative — even Gavaskar admitted he was tentative.”
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