A nation is gripped as Indian superstar Sachin Tendulkar is still yet confirm when he is going to retire from international cricket.
Cricket fans in India are being left in suspense with speculation on Sachin Tendulkar’s future in the national side, after their 4-0 series whitewash over Australia.
Some think Tendulkar will use this opportunity to bow out of international cricket, as he approaches his 40th birthday and his 24th year in the Indian Test team.
The man known fondly as the ‘Little Master’ by his fans scored just one run in India’s second innings in the fourth Test against Australia.
His side did win the match by six wickets but opinions are building on whether that will be Tendulkar’s last appearance with the bat for India.
Test captain MS Dhoni is refusing to comment on the record-breaking batsman’s future.
“Do not speculate on Sachin’s career,” the Indian skipper said on Sky Sports.
“You [the media] asked me the same question in 2005 also.”
However, after the series win over Australia Tendulkar needs to play in only two more Test matches to reach the 200 mark and a fitting milestone to end his outstanding career on.
India are due to tour South Africa in their next Test series and Tendulkar’s former captain, Sourav Ganguly, thinks the batsman will be given the opportunity to reach this historic landmark.
“Selectors are probably giving Sachin Tendulkar an extension – keeping his 200th Test milestone in mind,” Ganguly was quoted on Sky Sports.
“It would not have been the case had it been someone else.”
Tendulkar is granted almost saint-like status in his home country of India, likened as the cricket version of David Beckham due to the extent of his fame.
The 39-year-old is possibly the most complete cricketer of all time, debuting for India at just 16 and going on to play more Test matches and score more international runs than anyone else in history.
Whenever Tendulkar does decide to retire there will be a big hole left by the ‘Little Master.’
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