Tendulkar, the master who was born to bat

MCA ‘F’ Division Avi Trophy (30-over tournament)

At MCA: Eagle Logistics vs Finlays, Ceylon Agro vs Bodyline

At Thurstan ground: Ceylon Tobacco vs Pizza Hut, Lanka IOC vs Regnis Lanka

At St. John’s Panadura: Virtusa vs LOLC, Unilever vs WNS Global

At Ananda Mw: Ceylinco Insurance vs Data Entry, Hilton Residencies vs SLT ‘B’ Under-19 Schools

Royal Panadura vs St. John’s L/O Big Match at Panadura

RUGBY

Zahira Sevens at Maradana Inter-school Division II Sevens at Ratgama

CRICKET:

INTERNATIONAL

India v Pakistan at Dhaka, Asia Cup ODI World Twenty20 qualifying tournament, United Arab Emirates (ends March 24)

West Indies v Australia at Kingstown, 2nd ODI

FOOTBALL:

FA Cup quarter-finals

TENNIS:

ATP and WTA at Indian Wells (ends)

GOLF:

USPGA at Transitions Championship at Palm Harbour, Florida

EPGA at Andalucia Open; Asia Tour at Cambodia Classic

USLPGA at Phoenix, Arizona (end)

FORMULA ONE:

Season-opening Australian Grand Prix, Melbourne

SWIMMING:

Australian Olympic trials, Adelaide (ends March 22)

ALPINE SKIING:

Men's and women's World Cup at Schladming, Austria (downhill, super-g, giant slalom, slalom) (ends)

NORDIC SKIING:

Men's and women's World Cup at Falun, Sweden (ends)

SKI JUMPING:

Men's World Cup finals at Planica, Slovenia (ends)

by Kuldip Lal

NEW DELHI, March 16, 2012 (AFP) - Consistently brilliant, universally admired and modest to a fault, India's Sachin Tendulkar has ruled world cricket for more than two decades with his record- shattering batting.

As the "master blaster" became the first player to score 100 international centuries on Friday, millions of adoring fans in India and abroad bowed to the man often worshipped like a demi-god in his country.

Over years of high-pressure national expectation and fierce media attention, Tendulkar, who turns 39 next month, has barely put a foot wrong, remaining the smiling, boyish figure he was when he burst on the world stage in 1989, aged 16.

His 100th international ton adds another jewel to the glittering career of cricket's most celebrated living batsman, who holds all coveted batting records except Don Bradman's career average of 99.94.

Tendulkar, a copybook right-hander, has played more Tests (188) and one- dayers (462) and compiled more runs and centuries in both forms of the game than anyone else.

His 49th one-day ton -- alongside 51 Test hundreds -- came a year after he realised his childhood dream of being part of a World Cup-winning campaign.

Tendulkar has so far scored 15,470 Test runs at an average of 55.44 with a best of 248 not out against Bangladesh in Dhaka in 2004.

His one- day tally stands at 18,374 runs, including the first double- century in the format -- a 200 not out against South Africa in Gwalior in February 2010.

Now in his 23rd year in international cricket, Tendulkar remains as passionate about the game as he was on his debut against Pakistan in November, 1989.

But his batting had begun to be ques- tioned in India, with unprecedented talk of his retirement following a disappointing recent series in Australia.

And the father of two took a year to record his 100th ton after getting the 99th in the World Cup last March.

The cricketing world first took notice of the child prodigy when, aged 17 and playing only his ninth Test, he hit a match- saving 119 not out against England at Old Trafford in 1990.

Tendulkar still regards that 100 as one of his best, but what followed in Australia in 1991-92 set the standard for a career as one of the modern greats.

Having scored an unbeaten 148 in the Sydney Test, Tendulkar mastered the spiteful Perth wicket to hit a brilliant 114 against an all-out pace attack.

The innings prompted veteran English writer John Woodcock to stand up in the press box and declare: "This has to be the best batsman I have ever seen... and unlike most of you I watched Bradman bat!"

Since then, Tendulkar's longevity and string of lucrative commercial endorsements for everything from watches to cement has brought him huge wealth.

He has an insatiable love of fast cars and is rumoured to drive around the streets of Mumbai in the early hours, but his otherwise humble, family-based approach to life has meant fans still feel a close bond with him. News late last year that he had moved into a new luxury house in Mumbai with his wife Anjali, a medical doctor, and two children, was greeted nationwide with the interest of delighted relatives.

"It's been a privilege to play for India for so long," Tendulkar has said. "Cricket is my passion. I think it is a gift from God that I have been able to live that passion for so many years. It's just fantastic."

Off the field, Tendulkar sponsors 200 under-privileged children every year through Apnalaya, a Mumbai-based NGO run by his mother-in-law, Annabel Mehta.

He has also helped raise funds for numerous causes like the crusade against cancer and the creation of basic facilities, particularly toilets for girl children, in 140 government schools across the country.

Likes to be photographed

The past week saw a whole lot of activity at the Police Park where a keen Under 13 football tournament was taking place. The players caught the eye with their exuberance and flair. An official who was supposed to be in charge of the event was conspicuous by his absence as he is always abroad. Anyway when the prize distribution was going on, this official was in the thick of things, especially when the photographers were ‘clicking’. They say that even if this official is not there at events he likes to be photographed; so that no one can say that he was not present at these occasions.

London or bust

The London Olympics is the next big sporting event where athletes could show of their talents. With this in view a local association was making arrangements to hold an AGM. The head of this sporting organization that has been holding on to the post for the past five years is hopeful that he will be the association’s head again. However a group of former top athletes are carrying on an underhand operation to oust this chap. The group of former athletes is doing this in a hush-hush manner because the head that they are working against is a very powerful man in sporting circles.

Up-in-arms

There is always a hassle when selecting officials to stand in when a top team arrives. This time it is the team from Old Blighty. They were seen taking part in a warm-up game. But the official who should have been Number One for the post is out and Number Two was in. Now several of the offi-

Balls for sale

Now there is a story about a fast bowler coach who is causing quite a furor over the balls that he is using for practices. Officials saw that he is using too many balls – these balls are quite expensive and have been brought from abroad. Not bothered about the cost of these balls this coach is supposed to be taking them at random and using them freely. It is said that some of these balls have even found their way to the market where there is a big demand for them.

Free lap tops

Officials of a top sports body are carrying lap tops these days. However these officials are now getting ready to hold the AGM of this sports body. However some of these officials are hoping that the AGM will never be held because in that case the officials holding on to these lap tops can make them their own. So far no payments have been made for these expensive lap tops even though they have been given away on a monthly payment basis. These officials are even using these mini computers to do their own work at home.

Directing from elsewhere

An official who is supposed to look after the visiting cricketers was away in Bangladesh even though he had no business to be there. This official’s job was to see to the comforts of the visiting cricketers from Britain who are currently in the country and had no business to be away in another Asian country when his task was right here in Sri Lanka. This official’s designation is that of a Director and now looks as if he’s directing things from somewhere where he is not supposed to be.