Sachin Tendulkar vs Shane Warne Twenty20 Series an Oldies' Parade, Slams Ian Chappell

Ian Chappell has slammed the concept of a cricket all-stars series in the US, saying the matches will feature "old" players, who should now be enjoying their retirement. The Twenty20 series is a brainchild of two all-time greats of the game - Sachin Tendulkar and Shane Warne. Matches will be played in New York, Houston and Los Angeles between November 7-11. (Sachin Tendulkar, Shane Warne to Play T20 series in US)

Chappell has question the value of a series that will feature among others 50-plus former West Indian bowling superstars Curtly Ambrose and Courtney Walsh. Tendulkar and Warne have lined up a who's who of retired international legends - Brian Lara, Ricky Ponting, Wasim Akram, Sourav Ganguly, Muralitharan and Glenn McGrath et al. (Sourav Ganguly, Rahul Dravid, VVS Laxman in Sachin Tendulkar's Team for US T20 Series?)

"I've always thought that the reason for retiring is that you wanted to stop playing," Chappell told ESPNCricinfo. "The other thing I don't understand is why people want to watch older cricketers," the straight-talking Chappell said.

Globalisation, primary goal: Tendulkar

Explaining the worth of such a series, Tendulkar said globalization of the game was the main idea.

Dressed to Kill.. Suit by @PaulJheeta! Enjoyed the talk with Wasim but not sure which side is he playing for (1/2) pic.twitter.com/AFSy1sSg6e

- sachin tendulkar (@sachin_rt) October 10, 2015

"That is precisely the idea of these matches. I have so many friends in the United States and there are so many people who are cricket fans. However, many of them have never got a chance to watch us live in action.

"Many of friends would travel to India to watch me play, but this will give an opportunity to all of them to watch all these superstars live in action," said Tendulkar.

Chappell disagrees completely. He feels players like Warne are unfit to play at any level of the game now.

"Your back gives you trouble, you can't bend over as easily, catches that you used to take very easily you can't get down very far to take them...You start to look like what you are -- an old cricketer," Chappell said.

Chappell comments harsh: Warne

Warne is hurt at Chappell's "harsh" comments. "Chaps has been one of the biggest influences on my career so it's disappointing to hear that.

"I would have thought he would have seen the bigger picture about spreading the game of cricket globally, and that actually we're doing a good thing if we make sure these games are fun and entertaining," Warne said.

While globalization of the game remains the responsibility of the International Cricket Council, a series featuring former superstars certainly adds to the excitement of a diaspora with deep pockets.