Tag Exclusives

Had Sachin Tendulkar been a Tennis player, or a golfer or a formula 1 driver ~ I'm sure he would have asked few questions to Roger Fedrer, Tiger Woods and Michael Schumacher given the talent & will that Indian possesses..
But life's not about 'would have' or 'had been'. Sachin Tendulkar is a cricketer - a batsman, and exceptional at it when its about making runs on cricket field.

Given that cricket is a team game, not individual sport - several champions like Brain Lara, Don Bradman & Wasim Akrams couldn't be numero uno aka number 1 cause their teams stayed behind.

I hope, by now, I've made my first point on how cricket is different from other sports. In following, I present few more facts stressing on how a game of cricket, in which every single ball bowled (out of 600+ in oneday match) can turn into a thriller, is different from other famous sports we play around the world! itsonlycricket also invite you to send us your suggestions we need to add to following list, or in case you've some objections..

An active captain
Almost every minute of this 7 hour long one day cricket match, a captain is making a decisions (who should bowl & for how long, who is fielding where, who should bat & when, how I'll bat today) and yet stays calm. much of a cricket match depends on how good a captain's decision fared in the end!

Playing conditions
Tennis Grandslams have fixed type of surface, so does soccer (except when it rains), Olympic sports and Rudgy to some extent. But in cricket - playing conditions (Pitch, wind, outfield, Day or Day/Night) all vary from one country to another if not from one stadium to another. and then, you've Toss. just a flick of coin, many times, win or lose a cricket match for average cricket teams. Of course, champion teams find a way out, but that's the beauty of cricket and adjustment to conditions and to toss result is as much a factor!

The lengthy playing duration
I'll admit I'm not aware of all kind of sports on Earth we human beings play.. but can't recall one right now which goes as long as 5 days consecutively, except cricket! may be readers can remind me some so that I could correct this part of our article.

Perfect intervals for advertisers
One half of soccer match, usually, goes for 45 mins straight. In Tennis - players normally play 3 games of a set (almost 15 mins, unless Rafael Nadal is serving!) but in cricket - you've a break every 5 odd minutes. 600 of them in a one day match & then some more.. isn't it perfect for those who require people to know what they're selling!?!

and then, players can get greedy
in cricket. not for long, but an over or two as they complete their personal milestones.

Great Leveler
Umpires, we all know, are human and thus - make mistakes. Now as their decision is considered ultimate in cricket - players feel let down at time. Other day - they'll edge one ball to keeper but umpires don't raise their finger.
Ask any former cricketer - they'll tell you they had both bad & lucky decisions made against & for them.. but in the end - it evened out!