Calcutta: Richie Richardson, a former West Indies captain and one of the leading batsmen of his time, spoke to The Telegraph exclusively on Sachin Tendulkar.
Richardson, now 49, is the West Indies manager.
The following are excerpts
Q Sachin has just completed 22 years as an international cricketer... What’s your take?
A It’s remarkable... Sachin must be having an incredible appetite for the game... He has this tremendous ability to perform and set such high standards for such a long period of time... Every credit to him and he deserves everything he has achieved.
In terms of longevity, what does the number 22 mean to you?
(Laughs) It means a very long time... I’m not aware if any other cricketer has actually had that long an international career.
What were your impressions of Sachin when you saw him for the first time?
I thought here comes another Sunil Gavaskar! Sachin looked so much like Gavaskar and he had similar abilities... He played his shots like Gavaskar used to... He’s been a great servant of the game and a wonderful ambassador... (After a pause) What I like most about Sachin is that he’s always so humble, always smiling... He’s so down to earth.
As a cricketer, what’s special about Sachin? His wealth of knowledge about the game and his ability to handle situations... He is always part of the game and, to me, he is the ultimate professional. Have you had the chance to interact with Sachin for a length of time? Not on many occasions, though I did captain him at Lashings (in the UK) a couple of years ago. Sachin was very good with everybody. In fact, the way he handled himself was remarkable. At Lashings, we were very fond of him. You’ve talked about humility. Is it there because of the upbringing? It’s a very good question... I think it is a combination of the upbringing and the person that you are. Is there any other sportsman with the same qualities and, for whom, you have the same admiration? Michael Jordan... I haven’t met this basketball legend, though. There’s (Sir) Viv Richards as well... I must point out that I haven’t come across any person who has had something bad to say about Sachin. In six months, Sachin turns 39. What’s the future you see for him? It’s not for me to say... I’m not sure what’s going on in Sachin’s mind... What I do know is that he’s right up there with the greats, whatever his age. Among the all time greats, where will you place Sachin? As I’ve said, Sachin is right up there with all the others... You have to put him up there with the (Sir) Donald Bradmans, the (Sir Viv) Richards’s, the Brian Laras and the Gavaskars. When Sachin does decide to call it a day, what’s the legacy he will be leaving behind? (Smiles) I certainly will not remember him only for all the runs he has scored... I will remember him for being Sachin, the Little Master. For being so easy-going, for being such a wonderful person and an extraordinary ambassador for the game. The last one... Is being so close to the 100th international hundred playing on Sachin’s mind? Depends on the approach he has taken... I can see that the entire country and the fans want Sachin to do it and do it now, but the game is not like that... You don’t get to do things on demand... He is mature enough to realise that he’s got to be patient and wait for the perfect opportunity... He cannot be trying too hard... I guess it’s only a matter of time. © The Telegraph |
