Sachin Tendulkar
London: India’s batting legend Sachin Tendulkar, who has is having his Dream run of form this year and has surged to the top of the ICC Test rankings for batsmen for the first time since 2002, is not worried with his age.
“I am really enjoying my cricket right now. I don’t know how long I am going to continue playing cricket, but as long as I enjoy myself and feel that I can contribute, I will be playing. My age doesn’t bother me, age is in the mind,” the 37-year-old stated when speaking to the press after receiving the Lebara People’s Choice Award and the Outstanding Achievement in Sport Award, at the Asian Awards, at Grosvenor House, on Tuesday night.
Sachin also said that Englishman Kevin Pietersen can regain his form if he “clears his mind” before the Ashes series against an Australian side who are no longer the team invincible in Test cricket.
“If Kevin is thinking right, it will reflect in his game and the runs will come automatically. All I would say to him is just be relaxed, calm, composed and watch the ball as closely as possible because that is what batsmen are meant to do,” Sachin said.
“If Kevin clears his mind and perceives that the Aussies are no longer the team to beat, he will regain his form. The thought process has to be free flowing and that’s when you react and your body movement is not stiff and tight. If he can clear his mind, I am sure his game will improve.” quoted the Master.
The iconic batsman gave Australia a torrid time in the recently concluded Test series against India, with his mammoth first-innings of a double ton and a fifty in the 2nd innings, helping India to a comfortable win over the visitors in Bengaluru.
In stark contrast to Tendulkar’s dominance, Pietersen has been struggling, with the last of his 16 Test centuries coming way back in March 2009.However, with just 4 weeks to go before the first Ashes Test kicks off in Brisbane, Sachin sought a solution to the England batsman’s slump. Australia fell to the 5th spot in the ICC rankings and, crucially, below England, for the first time since the standings were launched in 2003.
“The Aussies competed very hard, which they always do, but India as a team, showed tremendous character,” Tendulkar said.
“If we are talking about the side to beat in Test cricket right now, I would say that it would be South Africa in South Africa. They compete hard and use their conditions to their advantage.” Sachin concluded.
Tags: Asian Awards, Cricket, ICC Test Rankings, Kevin Pietersen, Lebara People’s Choice, Sachin Tendulkar, Test Cricket
