Calcutta: Former India captain and cricket manager Ravi Shastri spoke to The Telegraph, exclusively on Sachin Tendulkar, on Wednesday evening.
Few in the fraternity know Sachin better than Shastri.
The following are excerpts
You were in the XI when Sachin made his India debut, in the Karachi Test. What were your thoughts then?
A That he’s someone different, he’s someone special... That he’d come from above to do a job... To perform as a cricketer and to entertain. And to do nothing else in life.
Back then, just how far did you expect Sachin to go?
You can’t put a number, but I knew there and then that he was destined to do something so special which would be beyond mere mortals. Clearly, something beyond our imagination. He continues to be very special.
Is there anything about Sachin that you straightaway remember from that 1989-90 tour of Pakistan? I recall he used to be so shy...
He was a student, willing to learn... I’d say he was like a sponge, soaking up everything. He is still the biggest sponge in the game. He’s still a learner.
So, what has been Sachin’s USP?
Longevity, passion, consistency. That, I suppose, says it all.
How much longer should Sachin continue?
Twentythree is a great number, a number which sat on one of the world’s original superstars — Michael Jordan. But in a career always lined with greatness, how about a silver jubilee? That would be nice.
Should Sachin quit ODIs and focus entirely on Test cricket for, say, the next two years?
Look, it will have to happen in course of time, but at the moment, I guess he’s taking it one month at a time.
What’s your message to Sachin today?
Enjoy every bit, for you’re the only brat — and I say so with envy — who knows what it is to play for 23 years... To be at the top for that length of time.
[No other cricketer has had an uninterrupted run of 23 years at the international level.]
The final one... When Sachin does quit, what will his legacy be? Surely it won’t be about records alone...
Once he goes, we’ll realise his shoe size and it will be 20! You may need an entire team to fit into his shoes. Need I say more?
Ravi Shastri on Sachin Tendulkar's 23rd year in cricket
The Telegraph – Thu 15 Nov, 2012 11:14 AM IST
Latest Photos
Featured Interactives
MORE TOP STORIES TODAY
Qualifier 1: Mike Hussey hits another half-century at Kotla. More » Scorecard: Chennai vs Mumbai
[SPOT-FIXING ROUND-UP] Actor Vindoo Dara Singh arrested. More » SPOT-FIXING: Cops to grill Sreesanth for five more days
New Delhi, May 21 (IANS) Pune Warriors India, owned by Sahara India Pariwar, pulled out of the already scandal-hit Indian Premier League (IPL) Tuesday and announced that they will not renew their sponsorship … More » Sahara pulls out of IPL, not to renew BCCI sponsorship
He might be a bad boy, but he wasn’t a bad bowler. More » A character who was let down by his character
New Delhi, May 21 (IANS) Hit by the recent spot-fixing scandal, the Rajasthan Royals will have to come out strong to take on the impressive Sunrisers Hyderabad in the Indian Premier League (IPL) eliminator … More » Shaken Royals take on rising Hyderabad
Corruption in cricket is as old as the apathy of the sport's administrators. More » [VOX] Crime and lack of punishment
LONDON, May 21, 2013 (AFP) - England on Tuesday named an unchanged squad for the second Test against New Zealand at Headlingley, after batsman Ian Bell and spin bowler Graeme Swann both overcame illne … More » Bell, Swann fit for second NZ Test
When the two face each other in Qualifier 1 of the Indian T20 league on Tuesday, with a spot in the final the reward for the winner, the rivalry will demand a lot more than usual. More » More than just spot in the final
Mumbai Indians skipper Rohit Sharma doesn't want his team to get distracted by the spot-fixing controversy in the Indian Premier League. More » Focus is on playing good cricket: Rohit
"The feeling is quite similar as no one gave the SunRisers a chance in the tournament, and we have qualified for the playoffs" More » 'Hyderabad's success reminds me of 1983'
It seems Rajasthan Royals, caught in the middle of the spot-fixing scandal involving three of their players, want to stay away from the spotlight as much as possible. More » Rajasthan feel heat ahead of playoff
Cricket Australia said Tuesday it had no immediate plan to curb the use of social media by players after a Twitter rant by David Warner, but suggested it could happen in the future. More » Australia don't plan on Twitter clampdown
Chennai Super Kings coach Stephen Fleming said it was disappointing that spot fixing has overshadowed the IPL but hoped that the tournament would finish on a winning note. More » 'Corruption shadow over IPL's good work'
SG Test balls may be used for Ranji Trophy and junior tournaments. More » Kumble moots neutral venues, SG balls
"The contracts of all three players have been suspended pending enquiry," a team statement said. "We have already filed a complaint with the Delhi Police against all three players." More » Rajasthan suspend tainted players
Sensational revelations may be fine but the police needs solid evidence to prove the charges against ricketers arrested for spot-fixing to secure their conviction in court. More » Delhi cops face challenge in building case
Sreesanth had plans to party all night “with as many women as possible” on May 15, the Delhi Police have said. More » Revealed: Sreesanth's wild party side
Bookies have relied on 'gullible' players who've failed to make it big. More » 'Disillusioned' players on Police radar
Former New Zealand captain Daniel Vettori could play his first test for 10 months after spinner Bruce Martin was ruled out of the rest of the tour of England with a calf injury. More » Vettori replaces Martin in Test squad
"Warner is alleged to have breached Rule 6: Unbecoming Behaviour, regarding comments posted on his Twitter account," CA said in a statement. More » Hearing set for Warner over Twitter rant
James Anderson showed why it is so important for the hosts he remains fit for the Ashes with a first innings haul at Lord's of five for 47. More » Anderson confirms spearhead status
The NZ captain has faith in his batsmen after an "hour of madness" cost the team dear at Lord's. More » McCullum backs New Zealand batsmen
Hyderabad enter the play-offs on the back of a nervous five-wicket win over Kolkata. More » Sunrisers draw the blinds on RCB
Warriors avoid last-place finish with big win in last game. More » Pune banish Delhi to the bottom
Stuart Broad bowled England to victory in the first Test as New Zealand suffered a dramatic fourth-day collapse at Lord's on Sunday. More » Broad leads England rout of NZ
One of the rooms was used by Sreesanth and the second one was used by his friend Jiju Janardhanan More » Both rooms booked by Sreesanth
[ROUND-UP] Srinivasan refuses to blame the IPL; Shukla promises strong punishments. More » Cash, laptop seized from Sreesanth's room
Australia opening batsman David Warner will face a disciplinary hearing for his Twitter outburst against two senior Australian cricket journalists. More » Warner to face disciplinary hearing
Rajasthan Royals will file a police complaint against its three players arrested for spot fixing while the BCCI set up a panel to probe the scandal, board president N. Srinivasan announced. More » Rajasthan to slap charges against players, BCCI sets up probe panel
England captain Alastair Cook was satisfied with his team's performance after they beat New Zealand by 170 runs in a fluctuating first test at Lord's on Sunday. More » Cook happy with Eng's performance
Spot-fixing Scandal: No decision on life ban yet, Royals to file case against tainted trio More » Srinivasan: We can’t control bookies