Sachin Tendulkar's tons at Sydney and Perth in 1992 were special, recalls Shane Warne
Sachin Tendulkar will call time on his Test career after playing against West Indies in November. In doing so, he will become the only player to play 200 Tests in the history of the game.
With Master Blaster Sachin Tendulkar opting to hang up his boots after playing 200 Test matches, probably his greatest ever rival Shane Warne paid tribute to the legend's contribution to the game.
Warne, who has had many a battle with Tendulkar on the field, was quick to point out that there was never any question on the Little Master's selection during his playing days.
"His spot was never in question for the 24 years that he has played for India," said Warne speaking ahead of the one-off T20 between India and Australia in Rajkot.
Tendulkar and Warne first clashed back in 1992 when India toured Australia. Warne recalls how just watching Sachin bat as a teenager had the Aussies convinced on his uniqueness as a cricketer.
"He has got something special about him. We saw that when he first came on the scene. To score a hundred in Perth and then in Sydney, showed that there was a special quality in the man."
With a glittering career of his own, Warne understands that Tendulkar may feel he could have played more, but maintains that he has nothing left to prove.
"He will have thoughts that he could play more but he's done it, he's retired."
Tendulkar has 9 Test hundreds against Australia and an average of 55. Tendulkar's best known duel with Warne was when India hosted Australia in 1998. Tendulkar came up trumps against the world's best leg-spinner, and India won the series 2-1.