S P O R T S

Tendulkar declares it over
The greatest modern batsman bids adieu to ODIs after rewriting history for 23 years
Sachin Tendulkar, arguably the greatest batsman in contemporary cricket, today retired from one-day internationals, bringing the curtains down on a glorious career spanning 23 years during which he re-wrote record books with his phenomenal feats. The 39-year-old Tendulkar conveyed his decision to the BCCI, which issued a statement on his behalf to make the announcement. 

Decision to quit was taken in last 72 hours 
New Delhi, December 23
Sachin Tendulkar’s decision to retire from the ODI format was taken over the “last 72 hours” though he formally informed the BCCI only last night. 

Even amazing things come to an end
New Delhi, December 23
A prodigal talent who went on to be revered as modern cricket’s greatest batsman, Sachin Tendulkar today called time on his ODI career after over two decades of phenomenal feats which are unlikely to be replicated for years to come. A batsman who reminded the great Sir Donald Bradman of himself, Tendulkar bows out as international cricket’s top run-scorer by quite a distance in ODIs. He will, however, continue to play Tests. At the end of his ODI journey, the 39-year-old right-hander stands on a mammoth mountain of runs — a whopping 18,426 in 463 matches at an average of 44.83.

Criticism may have played a part in decision: Gavaskar
New Delhi, December 23
Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar says consistent criticism might have played a part in influencing Sachin Tendulkar’s decision to quit one-day cricket and it would have been fantastic had he gone after completing 50 ODI centuries.

Goodbye sachin
I felt that he might have played the series against Pakistan. But it is his decision and I think it is the right. There was a doubt on whether he would play ODI cricket or not. But I am not surprised by his decision. He has done what he thought was right. I don’t think there was any pressure of selectors on him. It is his own decision. No one can drop him.

• Sachin’s match-winning ODI 
  For those who say India never won a match when he hit a century, here are 33 rebuttals. 33 of his 49 tons won matches for India

• Twitterati

Tendulkar declares it over
The greatest modern batsman bids adieu to ODIs after rewriting history for 23 years

Sachin Tendulkar, arguably the greatest batsman in contemporary cricket, today retired from one-day internationals, bringing the curtains down on a glorious career spanning 23 years during which he re-wrote record books with his phenomenal feats.

I have decided to retire from the One-Day format of the game. I feel blessed to have fulfilled the dream of being part of a World Cup wining Indian team. The preparatory process to defend the World Cup in 2015 should begin early and in right earnest. Sachin Tendulkar

The 39-year-old Tendulkar conveyed his decision to the BCCI, which issued a statement on his behalf to make the announcement. The champion batsman will, however, continue to play in Tests.

“I have decided to retire from the One-Day format of the game. I feel blessed to have fulfilled the dream of being part of a World Cup wining Indian team. The preparatory process to defend the World Cup in 2015 should begin early and in right earnest,” Tendulkar was quoted as saying in the statement released by the Board.”I would like to wish the team all the very best for the future. I am eternally grateful to all my well wishers for their unconditional support and love over the years,” he added.

Tendulkar, considered the most complete batsman in modern cricket, retires from the ODI format at the top of the run-getters’ list.

He amassed 18,426 runs in 463 one-dayers at an average of 44.83. The diminutive right-hander has an astonishing 49 hundreds in the format, including a double hundred -- the first in this form of the game. Tendulkar also has a mammoth tally of 96 ODI 50s to his credit.

Tendulkar’s Test records are as awe-inspiring. The right-hander has 15,645 runs at an average of 54.32 in 194 Tests that he has played so far. The tally includes 51 hundreds and 66 half-centuries. Tendulkar’s decision to quit the ODI format came on the day when the ODI team for the series against Pakistan was announced. There was speculation that he would play in the series to regain form ahead of the Test series against Australia.

Of late, the batting great had been under intense pressure to take a call on his future following a prolonged form slump, particularly in the Test series against England where he averaged a poor 18.66.

Tendulkar has been choosy about his ODI appearances, the last of which came in the Asia Cup in march where he completed his century of international hundreds.

Tendulkar made his ODI debut against Pakistan way back in 1989 and interestingly he is quitting the scene just ahead of another series against the arch-rivals.

The Mumbaikar, who made himself unavailable for Twenty20s after playing just one game in 2006, will now remain active in only the Test arena.

The brightest moment of his ODI career came last year when he finally became part of a World Cup winning Indian team after five previous appearances.

He was stuck on 99 international tons for quite a while after scoring two hundreds during India’s successful World Cup campaign.

The biggest compliment to his batting came from the legendary Sir Donald Bradman himself in 1999 when he said that Tendulkar’s style of playing resembled his batting style.

“That touch I used to feel when I batted,” the great Australian had said.

Despite the recent slump in his form, Tendulkar’s overall tally of runs is unlikely to be matched anytime soon given that the distant second-best in the list, former Australian captain Ricky Ponting, has already retired with 13,704 runs under his belt.

Sri Lanka’s retired great Sanath Jayasuriya occupies the third spot in the overall chart with 13,430 runs.

Besides his batting, Tendulkar also did service as an effective partnership-breaking bowler before a shoulder injury limited him and would be finishing his ODI career with 154 scalps, including two five-wicket hauls. — PTI 

Decision to quit was taken in last 72 hours 

New Delhi, December 23
Sachin Tendulkar’s decision to retire from the ODI format was taken over the “last 72 hours” though he formally informed the BCCI only last night. According to a source close to the cricketer, the eventual decision was taken in the last three days with BCCI president N Srinivasan being informed only last night.

“Once he was back in Mumbai after the Nagpur Test, he switched off his cell phone and became incommunicado for at least three days. The only possible way to contact him was through Anjali’s (wife) number as he wanted some time to himself,” a very close friend of Tendulkar said on condition of anonymity.

“By Friday night, he had intimated his family and close group of friends that he wants to quit from ODIs. Accordingly, he informed BCCI president N Srinivasan last night about his decision to retire from ODIs making it clear that he doesn’t want to play in the ODIs against Pakistan,” the source added.

There are indications that Tendulkar would start his preparations for the four-match Test series against Australia by playing in Mumbai’s final Ranji Trophy group league game against Gujarat to be played in Mumbai from December 29-January 1.

Asked about Test cricket, the source added, “Any decision regarding that will be only taken after he assesses his performance against Australians. The four Test against Aussies will make it 198 Tests and if he does well, he might think of going to South Africa.” — PTI

Even amazing things come to an end

A batsman who reminded the great Sir Donald Bradman of himself, Tendulkar bows out as international cricket’s top run-scorer by quite a distance in ODIs. He will, however, continue to play Tests. At the end of his ODI journey, the 39-year-old right-hander stands on a mammoth mountain of runs — a whopping 18,426 in 463 matches at an average of 44.83.

The Mumbaikar, fondly called Little Master and Master Blaster by his legion of fans all over the world, however, went through a tormenting lean pitch during the final few months in the game.

But without an iota of doubt, Tendulkar, the only batsman to score 100 international centuries — 51 in Tests and 49 in ODIs, would be remembered as the greatest batsman to have played the game after Bradman even though his glittering career was not without its low ebbs. He failed miserably as a captain and was bogged down by the massive responsibility of anchoring Indian batting during a time when the fall of his wicket was akin to the team folding up before the likes of Sourav Ganguly and Rahul Dravid blossomed to take some pressure off him.

All of 16 when he made his debut against a ferocious Pakistani team that boasted of Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis, Tendulkar gave an early display of his steely resolve when he continued to bat in a blood-soaked shirt despite being hit on his face.

That resolve came to define the little man who had the world’s most feared bowlers bowing in admiration of his talent and skill. His wicket remains the most cherished for all those who managed to have it against their name.

Away from cricket this year, he became a Rajya Sabha member and has already showed his keenness to improve the sporting scene in India. He was woefully out of form during India’s Test and ODI whitewash at the hands of England last year and carried the weight of expectations to what turned out to be a horror tour of Australia.

With an over two decade long career, records were fairly routine for Tendulkar but for the cricketing fraternity every run he scored just added to the legend that the diminutive right-hander has become. — PTI

Criticism may have played a part in decision: Gavaskar

Goodbye sachin

I felt that he might have played the series against Pakistan. But it is his decision and I think it is the right. There was a doubt on whether he would play ODI cricket or not. But I am not surprised by his decision. He has done what he thought was right. I don’t think there was any pressure of selectors on him. It is his own decision. No one can drop him.

Saurav Ganguly

I am surprised by his move but he is leaving ODI cricket on a high. I am sure he will want to leave on a high in Test cricket also. He will be looking forward to a good Test series against Australia. He has always done well against Pakistan. But he always raises his bar on a good wicket against a strong attack. Be it in the 1992 World Cup against Pakistan or 2003, he did well against Pakistan in the 2011 World Cup also. It is easy for us to say that he could have retired after the 2011 World Cup. He has got 100 centuries so he went to the Asia Cup. It is one thing that only few have achieved. His records cannot be surpassed.

Kris Srikkanth

Actually I am surprised. If he is continuing with international cricket (Test) then he should have continued with ODI also. We play almost 25 ODIs in a season. It is very important to keep playing international cricket.

Dilip Vengsarkar

He has figured greatly with runs in the longer version of cricket. I think he has played a little bit more in the longer version but when he feels that he is good enough to play in the Test side, I know, he feels he is good enough to play in the longer version in order to achieve the milestone of 200 Tests.I think he has taken the right decision. He is such a cricketer, who has the expertise to decide as he knows what to do and what not to do.

Arjuna Ranatunga

To be honest we (Pakistanis) will miss him and feel really sad that he will not play anymore ODIs for India. I admire the man for his sheer domineering character. He rattled all kinds of bowlers around the world. Sachin is a great entertainer and I wish him good luck

Mohammad Hafeez, Pakistan captain