Sachin the greatest ever sportsperson in Asia: Srinath

New Delhi:

Former India pacer Javagal Srinath on Monday hailed Sachin Tendulkar for completing two decades in international cricket and said the champion batsman is the greatest sportsperson of Asia.

"It was always great to play with Sachin. It is great to see him complete 20 years in international cricket. I don't think any other sportsperson in Asia has ever achieved such a feat," Srinath said here on the sidelines of an advertisement shoot.

Tendulkar, who made his debut way back in 1989 against Pakistan in Karachi, completed 20 years in international cricket on Sunday and Srinath was proud to share the dressing room with the little master.

"What amazes me is his motivation that lasted for so many years and he is still fit, going strong and scoring runs. He has sacrificed a lot for the game and I am proud to get the opportunity to play with him," the ICC Elite Panel match referee said.

Srinath also lavished praise on his former India and Karnataka teammate Rahul Dravid, who saved India from the blues with an unbeaten 177 in the first innings of the opening Test against Sri Lanka in Ahmedabad on Monday.

"It was great innings from Dravid especially under the circumstances when India were 34 for four at one time. It was typical Dravid knock. The entire Indian innings revolved around Dravid," said the 40-year-old.