***Official*** India in South Africa

[silentstriker]

Do people forget that he scored 141* against Aus not too long ago?

As the Symonds innings will undoubtedly show, one innings does not mean anything. Sachin has done well for one or two innings, followed by a long slump thing for a bit now.

 

[Anil]

Do people forget that he scored 141* against Aus not too long ago?

are you not noticing that he has lost his wonted consistency for such a long time now and it has to mean something surely? the very fact that you are having to point to an isolated innings again and again to support your point undelines that....

 

[Pratters]

No, it doesn't have to. But remember, he started very early - before his body had a chance to fully develop yet.

Either way, I don't see him being a force again.

Okay we disagree but just want to know your reasoning behind the difference it makes to a player's game that he started before his body was fully developed..

 

[Anil]

Yes the body does not remain the same. However, it is not necessary that it means a player will become poorer. Courtney Walsh played 16 years of test cricket and he had great years at the end. He moulded his game. Also, a fast bowler's body takes a lot more toll than a batsman's. We cannot say because player x has played so many years, his game will necessarily deteriorate. The game of a player changes over the years but it is not the same thing to 'it has become worse'.

you have a point and we are still seeing glimpses of the player he was in his innings and i would hope that indicates at least a few great innings here and there...but do you honestly see a return to the heydays of sachin tendulkar before he retires?

 

[silentstriker]

Okay we disagree but just want to know your reasoning behind the difference it makes to a player's game that he started before his body was fully developed..

*SHRUG*, I have no idea. I am just looking for something. I know in other sports, if you strain your body too early while early in development, it really hampers you later on.

Can't say whether thats the case, and I'm not a doctor, but 16 is very young to be put through the strains of international cricket.

 

[PhoenixFire]

Forget consistency for the time being, he has proved that he still has it in him, that knock was as good a One Day knock as you'll ever see.

 

[silentstriker]

you have a point and we are still seeing glimpses of the player he was in his innings and i would hope that indicates at least a few great innings here and there..

Agreed.

I am not bashing Sachin (God knows I him). But there comes a time for every player to realize that maybe someone can come in and do a equivalent or better job. Our batting lineup has been frail for a while now.

 

[silentstriker]

Forget consistency for the time being, he has proved that he still has it in him, that knock was as good a One Day knock as you'll ever see.

But you can't do that. Consistency is the biggest thing in Test cricket. You can't have one good innings, followed by ten bad ones. You can't be a test cricketer like that.

 

[PhoenixFire]

But you can't do that. Consistency is the biggest thing in Test cricket. You can't have one good innings, followed by ten bad ones. You can't be a test cricketer like that.

I know, I rate consistency as the most important thing in cricket, but at least he still has it in him. People say that he can't do it anymore, well he can, just not all of the time.

 

[Pratters]

you have a point and we are still seeing glimpses of the player he was in his innings and i would hope that indicates at least a few great innings here and there...but do you honestly see a return to the heydays of sachin tendulkar before he retires?

I do not expect him to play slam bang innings like he used to do earlier in his career more often than not. Essentially, I do not see why he would not make runs though the method will not be the same. He has experience and I do not see the end at 33. Gavaskar in his show on ESPN-Star during the first test mentioned he thinks Tendulkar will play till 2011 at least. I do not see the wear and tear as a solid enough reason as I feel he can mould his game because of the experience and cricket brain he posseses.

 

[Goughy]

I know, I rate consistency as the most important thing in cricket, but at least he still has it in him. People say that he can't do it anymore, well he can, just not all of the time.

hmm, there is no smiley so I dont know if this is supposed to be serious, if its a joke or if I misunderstand it.

He is consistent, just not all the time

 

[Pratters]

*SHRUG*, I have no idea. I am just looking for something. I know in other sports, if you strain your body too early while early in development, it really hampers you later on.

Can't say whether thats the case, and I'm not a doctor, but 16 is very young to be put through the strains of international cricket.

Cheers mate.

 

[PhoenixFire]

I meant he can put in the big performances, just not all the time.

 

[silentstriker]

I meant he can put in the big performances, just not all the time.

Then I am not sure if he should be playing. Some level of consistency is required.

 

[nightprowler10]

Yes the body does not remain the same. However, it is not necessary that it means a player will become poorer. Courtney Walsh played 16 years of test cricket and he had great years at the end. He moulded his game. Also, a fast bowler's body takes a lot more toll than a batsman's. We cannot say because player x has played so many years, his game will necessarily deteriorate. The game of a player changes over the years but it is not the same thing to 'it has become worse'.

Is it possible that Sachin hasn't figured out how to cope with the changes his body went through, perhaps while he was in rehab for his injury?

 

[PhoenixFire]

Then I am not sure if he should be playing. Some level of consistency is required.

If Sehwag is in, then so should Tendulkar.

 

[silentstriker]

If Sehwag is in, then so should Tendulkar.

But he shouldn't be.

 

[Pratters]

Is it possible that Sachin hasn't figured out how to cope with the changes his body went through, perhaps while he was in rehab for his injury?

Yeah. It is even possible that he has an accident and can never play cricket again. We cannot be 100% sure regarding any thing but I feel he has some very good years ahead.

 

[PhoenixFire]

Exactly, if the selectors don't drop Sehwag, then Tendulkar won't go, the only way Tendyla won't play, is if he retires.

 

[Anil]

I do not expect him to play slam bang innings like he used to do earlier in his career more often than not. Essentially, I do not see why he would not make runs though the method will not be the same. He has experience and I do not see the end at 33. Gavaskar in his show on ESPN-Star during the first test mentioned he thinks Tendulkar will play till 2011 at least. I do not see the wear and tear as a solid enough reason as I feel he can mould his game because of the experience and cricket brain he posseses.

why is that not happening though? he has more or less stopped with the slam-bang stuff right? so then where is the measured, team back-bone style innings? i know i'm repeating myself, but where is the consistency? if the team doesn't drop him, he can continue on for a long time, that's not the point...the point is whether he is able to maintain the elevated standards he set for himself(and by that i don't necessarily mean the blazing brilliance of his youth, but a mature, tempered style)....the evidence of the past 2-3 years certainly suggests otherwise, doesn't it...?