The glamour and glitz of Twenty20 has had its adverse affect on Test cricket and only someone of Sachin Tendulkar's stature can help restore the waning popularity of the traditional form of the game, feels former Sri Lankan captain Arjuna Ranatunga.
The Lankan captain lavished praise on Sachin for not treating the game as a source of income. “Sachin is an iconic figure. We need cricketers like him to save Test cricket. As long as Sachin is playing, I am sure Test cricket is safe,” Rantunga said in Colombo while congratulating the champion batsman on his 50th Test century.
"He has been playing for more than 20 years now. I think he is a rare cricketer who does not consider cricket as a source of income. This is the secret of his longevity and phenomenal success as well," the cricketer turned politician said.
The skipper of the 1996 World cup winning Lankan team also believes that some of the greatest attributes of Sachin like dedication, commitment and passion for the game islacking in cricketers of modern era. "Sachin has sacrificed a lot to reach the pinnacle. Young players, should learn quite a few lessons from him,"said Ranatunga.