The Indian batting legend Sachin Tendulkar expects Ranji Trophy and other domestic matches to be played on “challenging tracks” so that batsmen’s abilities will put to test and it will also raise the”standard” of competition.
Sachin Tendulkar
During a promotional event, Sachin said, “Domestic cricket of course, I feel if we could keep more challenging wickets for batters, it would help the standard of playing. We have had a number of opinions on this but I have always felt that (if) you play on good, difficult tracks, your standard of playing automatically goes up.”
However, Tendulkar also clarified that “challenging tracks” doesn’t mean that it should be left under-prepared where the bowler just comes and takes wickets.
Explaining his point further, Sachin said, “That is what I would encourage the (custodians of) our domestic cricket to do — to keep surfaces which are challenging for the batters but that does not mean the bowler should just come and roll their arm over (to get wickets). For bowlers also, to be able to control their seam or spin, it is a skill and (it) should not happen on its own (with aid of surface).”
Recently former Australian leg-spinner Kerry O’Keefe took a dig at India’s domestic cricket but Sachin said that no one should be bothered by what outsiders have to say.
Sachin Tendulkar and Rohit Sharma
The legendary batsman mentioned, “I am really not concerned about what XYZ in Australia or in England or in South Africa says. They have got nothing to do with Indian cricket and I don’t think we comment on Australian cricket or (for that matter) any other cricket (ing) (nation) in the world. Let us stick to our domain and have opinions related to our country. It is as simple as that.”
IPL has played a crucial role in the transition of domestic cricket in India as it helps the youngsters to get acclimatized with the international cricket easier for the young Indian players.
Talking about the same, Tendulkar said, “IPL, I think, has had a tremendous contribution, in building character. When you start sharing the dressing room with the leading international cricketers in the world and you spend time together for two months. When you have someone sitting in the same dressing room and practicing with you for 60 days, you know exactly what to expect from that guy and it works another way around as well.”
Sachin Tendulkar during his international debut
This year, the 12th edition of the IPL will be held in India and is scheduled to commence on March 23, though the detailed schedule is yet to be announced by the BCCI.
Praising the IPL, Tendulkar said, “Its given exposure to our youngsters, to believe that they can compete against anyone in the world. I think we are in that fortunate position to go out and dominate world cricket.” According to him if a player does well in the tournament, then everyone recognizes him.
