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Sachin Tendulkar greatest batsman ever, says Dennis Lillee. posted under: India | All news |
 Australia’s fast bowling legend Dennis Lillee, who retires after 25 years with the MRF Pace Foundation here in India, has described Sachin Tendulkar as the greatest batsman to have ever played cricket.<br><br>
62-year-old Lillee was all praise for the little master when he spoke to reporters, admiring the iconic Indian’s hunger for the game despite his unparalleled success.<br><br>
“Sachin is a very humble man. He is the greatest player and batsman to have ever played. He just amazes me on many counts, his eye for the game, hunger for the game and continued success,” he was quoted saying.<br><br>
Lillee also remembered his early days at the foundation and said he felt a little embarrassed about the fact that he had rejected Tendulkar’s ambition to become a fast bowler in the late 1980s, but added that it was probably the best decision he had ever made and said he did cricket a “big favor” by doing so. Lillee had sent Sachin back to work on his batting that fateful day.<br><br>
“I actually feel very embarrassed because I rejected him as a fast bowler. I think I did him and the game of cricket a favour. I am just joking, but I will never forget (the incident),” he said.<br><br>
“When he came back a year later he was just 15 years or so. I was there behind the nets. The first ball Sachin faced he hit it behind the bowler for a four. Sachin flicked the next ball for a four as well. The bowlers were not able to get Sachin and he was hitting them out of the park.<br><br>
“When he was still batting with about 48 runs or so from 12 balls, I asked (the then head coach) TA Sekar who is this boy. Sekar laughed and replied you should know him; he is the boy whom you rejected when he wanted to become a fast bowler!”<br><br>
Lillee also stressed on how fortunate he was to have spotted Tendulkar at such a young age, before the master blaster started his international career and became the God he is today.<br><br>
“I was fortunate enough to see him before he made it to Test cricket and lucky enough to recognize him as the world's best,” Lillee added.<br><br>
Come to think of it, who knows what would have happened if Lillee had told Sachin back then to concentrate only on his bowling? Would the little master have dominated every aspect of the ball? Or would he have eventually made his way to the bat, seeing that it was probably his destiny to become the best in the world? We’ll never know. |
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