By Rajan Bala  

May 26, 2006
 
It was evident that Sachin Tendulkar’s rehabilitation after his shoulder operation would take longer than he would have liked. But knowing him — and only the wearer knows where the shoe pinches - he would be happy that he was not passed fit in a hurry. The fact that Andrew Leipus was in charge helped because he is one who is known to call a spade a spade. While there is no doubt that Tendulkar is special, it has to be taken into consideration that he has been around for so long and quite naturally with the volume of cricket being played, there would be wear and tear.   

Both his elbow and shoulder injuries are unique to him as these have come about because of his grip. But then when this grip that recently has led to pain and even the surgeon’s knife had also fetched him a mountain of runs, it is unlikely that he is ever going to changeit. Not at this late stage anyway.

Pragmatist that he is as also with his vast experience, it is only logical to presume that he would have already contemplated his future. Whether it will end with the 2007 World Cup remains to be seen because he has set his sights on being in the winning Indian team. There are two questions regarding him that need answering. His supporters would ask, how long will he go on? And being supporters would like the answer to be, forever. But the more pertinent question would be, how long can he go on?

The Board of Control for Cricket in India has taken an inexplicable decision in his case. Tendulkar has been given the prerogative to choose his matches — Tests or one-dayers — as the BCCI feels that he would be the best judge of his own phyical and mental condition.

Nothing like this has happened before in international sport. How can it be that a player, however good he might be, can one night inform the team’s management that he would not be playing and, on another, that he would be. What would the state — both mental and physical — be of the player (obviously younger and decidedly ambitious) when he is told that his career would be dependent on the whims and fancies of a superstar?

How important is Tendulkar to India’s World Cup hopes? It is a question that should be answered by the team’s management and probably the national selectors. But then the BCCI has left it to Tendulkar to inform these people about his fitness and availability. So does the team management include Tendulkar in its planning or not?

The coach, Greg Chappell has been thinking of Tendulkar as the team’s elder statesman and the younger players regard him as being an inspiration. These views speak volumes for the regard that he is held in by his peers and juniors. But how can he be of any use to the planning if he is uncertain about being able to play?

It seems that the best way to go about things is to plan for World Cup 2007 without Tendulkar and in the event of him being fit and ready, accommodate him believing that he would fit into the scheme of things.This too has to be decided between the coach and the man who would be leading the team for the big event.

However, it must be remarked that it would have been very illogical if Tendulkar had been declared fit on Tuesday and the powers that be picked him for the Test series in the West Indies. For someone who has been out of the active game for nearly three months and merely had a few knocks in the nets, to go off and play Test cricket is a tall task and huge challenge. Maybe, the great talent of Tendulkar would have made the necessary adjustments and come good. That would have been perfect for India and for him. But if that had not happened and his being rusty without match play was exposed, then what? Who would have taken the blame?

Indian cricket history has had more than one instance of a fit player being declared unfit by the BCCI-appointed doctor, who was instructed suitably. Now it is known that Tendulkar played the Test matches against England at home carrying the shoulder injury. There is no doubt that he is special but making special rules for him is neither correct nor fair. And here is hoping that the young man who bats instead of him makes a lot of runs as the door of opportunity has opened for him.

Content courtesy: The Asian Age and Deccan Chronicle