What people had to say about the Little Master, Sachin Tendulkar
With Sachin Tendulkar calling it a day, reactions poured in from all those who played with and against him and also watched him play.
- Agence France-Presse
- Updated: October 10, 2013 06:04 pm IST
India's Sachin Tendulkar, who has announced his retirement next month, was widely regarded by his cricketing peers as the greatest batsman since the Australian legend Donald Bradman.
Here is a selection of quotes on the man dubbed the "God of Cricket":
Donald Bradman: "I saw him (Sachin) playing on television and was struck by his technique, so I asked my wife to come look at him. Now I never saw myself play, but I feel that this player is playing much the same as I used to play, and she looked at him on television and said yes, there is a similarity between the two... his compactness, technique, stroke production... it all seemed to gel."
Australian spin legend Shane Warne: "Sachin Tendulkar is, in my time, the best player without a doubt -- daylight second, Brian Lara third."
West Indies great Viv Richards: "He has been a genius when it comes to ability, a Trojan when it comes to work ethic and manic when it comes to his focus."
Former teammate Rahul Dravid: "What he has done is set a benchmark for future generations which, probably, would be almost impossible for anyone to emulate."
West Indies contemporary Brian Lara: "Sachin is a genius. I'm a mere mortal."
Anil Kumble, who holds the record for most Test wickets for India: "I am fortunate that I've to bowl at him only in the nets."
Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni: "His schoolboy-like enthusiasm for the game is something I envy and admire. For the team he is the best available coaching manual."
England coach and former Zimbabwe batsman Andy Flower: "There are two kind of batsmen in the world. One, Sachin Tendulkar. Two, all the others."
Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan: "I would like to thank you from the bottom of my heart for allowing us to breathe the same air as you do."