If Sachin Tendulkar retires, Test cricket will die, says Arjuna Ranatunga

"If players like him (Sachin Tendulkar) don't play the longer version of the game, Test cricket will die. I pray to God he continues to play Test cricket. I was very happy to know he has retried from ODIs. For me Test is education and the shorter versions are entertainment," Ranatunga said.


Ranatunga, who guided Sri Lanka to their first and only World Cup title in 1996, said Tendulkar still has a lot of cricket left in him.


Asked whether Sachin was on a comeback trail after scoring two centuries in domestic matches, Ranatunga said the Mumbaikar, despite being 39, is a much better player than some of the younger Indians.

"If Sachin Tendulkar plays one good knock, I am sure he will play two-three years more without a problem," he said.

On to issues facing international cricket and Ranatunga came down heavily on the ICC, calling the sport's world governing body "toothless".

Instead of blaming the BCCI for the non-implementation of the controversial Decision Review System to avoid umpiring mistakes, Ranatunga turned his ire on the ICC.

"I am not blaming BCCI, but blaming ICC for not making DRS compulsory. They should not allow home countries to take decisions on the matter," he said on the sidelines of Sri Lanka Tourism promotion event here.
"They (the ICC) shout, but hardly bite. I have always said that they haven't changed. ICC should protect the game not individual countries

Kohli, Tendulkar in running for top ICC awards

In-form India batsman Virat Kohli, the leading run-scorer in ODIs this year along with Sachin Tendulkar has been nominated for the top ICC Awards 2012.
While Kohli has been nominated for the Cricketer of the Year and ODI Cricketer of the Year awards, Tendulkar has once again been nominated for the ICC People's Choice award.
Those nominated for the People's Choice award include Sri Lanka's Kumar Sangakkara, South Africa's duo Vernon Philander and Jacques Kallis, while England's James Anderson makes up the quintet of nominees.

 

Sachin Tendulkar gears up for Kiwi series

After a well-deserved break of two months, Sachin Tendulkar seems mighty serious about his business as the master blaster began his preparation for the upcoming home series against New Zealand at the National Cricket Academy here.

Tendulkar, who arrived at the NCA on Wednesday afternoon, started his session facing the net bowlers and pacer Zaheer Khan, who is undergoing a rehabilitation programme for the last few weeks.

After taking on the bowlers for nearly an hour, Tendulkar, who last played in the Indian Premier League in May, seemed satisfied with his batting. Later, he faced throw-downs from NCA training assistant Raghavendra for another hour. The maestro, who was assisted by NCA batting coach Dinesh Nanavati, is likely to continue his stint for another four days.