Sachin Tendulkar is used to accolades. The latest comes from legendary New Zealand all-rounder Sir Richard Hadlee.
In an exclusive interview with Associate Cricket Editor Nishant Arora, Hadlee said Sachin is streets ahead of any other modern batsman.
Cricket Editor : Looking at the current Indian side they are world number two in Test cricket and they are up in the order in One-day cricket as well. But they have lost big tournaments like the Champions Trophy and World Twenty20. How do you rate the current Indian side? Do you think they have the potential to become the No 1 team in the world?
R Hadlee: That's a big challenge for India in winning major tournaments and have sometimes struggled to do. At the moment, they have a very good side. They have a magnificent batting side, they have got a couple of very good pace bowlers, they have got spin, they have got options, they have got a very good leader in M S Dhoni. The signs are very good for Indian cricket.
Cricket Editor : Ian Chappell has raised a new debate. He thinks Ricky Ponting is a far better batsman than Sachin Tendulkar. Which side you would take?
R Hadlee: In his professional career of twenty years, Sachin has made many records. He has beaten Brian Lara's records. He has got most runs, most hundreds, most fifties, most matches to his credit. And he is a magnificent player. He is a great players. Greatness should be reserved for masters. And Sachin is a master. Ricky Ponting is still a great player. He is getting into the master class. We have seen some wonderful innings from Ricky Ponting. Brian Lara, of course, was a wonderful player. So these guys are in a elite group and you have to respect that.
Cricket Editor : If you have to pick one.
R Hadlee: If I have to pick one, I will go for Sachin. But I will have Ricky in the same side as well.
Cricket Editor : How you see the present scenario of the Indian team in terms of fast bowling?
R Hadlee: I can see the emergence of Ishant Sharma. He is a 21-year old guy. He has got to be managed. He needs to be looked after. In next five years, he is going to run and bowl hard and fast which is what he still does.
Cricket Editor : Which do you think is a better side between Australia and India?
R Hadlee: It's India. They are in form, can bat well, have the options. Australia clearly have problems with injuries and have lost some big players recently which is affecting them. But you never ever write off an Australian side. Because they have something that many teams desperately want in their side and sadly lack around the world.
