Who is the greatest?

It’s a sign of the esteem in which he is held that news of his pending international retirement dominated media reports, even eliminating from the headlines safety warnings in the south of India about an impending cyclone.

Typical of the hysterical reactions associated with cricket in India, fans were apoplectic, mourning the death of cricket as sentiment eclipsed logic and reason. Of course, that could not be further from the truth although there is great debate over the long-term existence of five-day test matches.

So is Sachin Tendulkar the greatest ever?

It’s almost impossible to compare averages across generations given changes to the rules and even playing conditions. Don Bradman’s test average of 99.94 stands alone with Herbert Sutcliffe (60.73) next on the list. By comparison Tendulkar’s average of 53.86 is way behind. 

It is the aggregate of runs that sets Tendulkar apart, in much the same manner as Bradman’s average demonstrates a unique talent. 

Over a career spanning 24 years the ‘Little Master’ has amassed an incredible 15,837 runs hitting 51 centuries in the process having made his debut against Pakistan at the tender age of 16. Next on the list is Jacques Kallis with 42 tons to his credit.

He may have only managed a single world cup winner’s medal yet he signed off his T20 career by leading his team, the Mumbai Indians, to a Champions T20 trophy success, despite having represented the national team on a solitary occasion in this format of the game.

This 40-year old former Indian captain’s one-day career also stands up to statistical scrutiny having amassed 18,426 runs in 463 ODI’s, averaging 44.83. 

His 49 centuries better Ricky Ponting by 19. On the overall list of centuries scored, Tendulkar’s 100 hundreds betters the all-conquering former Australian captain’s tally by 29. As Shane Warne recently commented: ‘first you have Tendulkar, then a gap and third comes Ponting’.

In fact it is the 25 occasions on which he captained the national side that remain the only blemish on his career, having secured only four victories. Yet it is testimony to his calming influence in the dressing room that he was retained and yet his batting did not suffer.

Other less well-known accolades include having the most career runs in World Cup tournaments, having scored the highest number of runs in a single tournament (in 2003) and being the first ever overseas player to be invited to play for Yorkshire, a particularly insular English county side! In 2010 he also became the first double centurion in a one-day match.

Some leading sportsmen have accumulated results during times when there is a dearth of true competitors. However, this accusation cannot be leveled at Tendulkar. 

He started his career while Waqar Younis and Wasim Akram were at their most feared and then had to endure a formidable Australian bowling attack including Warne and McGrath. He has been pummelled by the West Indians and been challenged by the guile of Muralitharan.

However, the reaction towards Sachin Tendulkar’s announcement that he would not be returning to international cricket (he retired from ODI’s in Dec 2012) after his final test in (probably) Mumbai, was also a reflection of his recent form and the strong number of young batsmen coming through the ranks.

At a time when batsmen are being asked to make ‘big daddy’ hundreds, his last century was 39 innings ago and he has failed to reach 30 in his last nine. When his retirement was first being mooted, Indian fans were also watching the decline of Ganguly and Laxman along with the ‘wall’ who will retire alongside Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid.

The sheer volume of Tendulkar’s runs is testimony to his ability and longevity. Yet what none of us can truly appreciate is his accomplishments in the face of tremendous national pressure. The weight of a billion passionate fans has weighed on his shoulders with expectations of success. He largely delivered, even from a young age.
 
Yet he has also done this at a time when media intrusion has escalated exponentially during his career. Probably the only person who comes close to being able to understand the pressure brought by the expectation of a nation in Manny Pacquiao, the Filipino boxer.

Tendulkar has also succeeded without tainting his reputation off the pitch in the mould of a Tiger Woods or by succumbing to the betting scandals that have blighted cricket.

The sense of panic that came with the diminishing powers of such players that had served India so well for so long has been tempered by the emergence of young players.

The latest is Cheteshwar Pujara who showed his intent by introducing himself to an English attack bowling on their favoured home conditions and batted for two and a half days in only three innings. Pujara combines the obstinacy of Dravid with the wristy flair of Laxman.

In common with the ‘Pac Man’, Tendulkar is turning towards politics having taken his oath in the upper house of the Indian parliament, the Rajya Sabha. 

He will also continue to support a variety of charitable causes ranging from providing healthcare and educational opportunities to children, support for the downtrodden and various wildlife causes.

It is anticipated that he will say farewell in his 200th test to be played at his home ground of Mumbai against the West Indies.

For those already missing the Tendulkar name, keep an eye out for his 14-year-old son, Arjun, who is already a promising cricketer. No pressure!

So, which of his innings do you consider to be the best? His maiden test century against England aged just 17? Or perhaps his century in the face of great adversity in Perth in 1992 while all those around him failed?

Maybe it was any one of his six double centuries, the largest of which was 248 against Bangladesh in 2004?