Calls for Sachin Tendulkar exit loud, Team India crisis festers

A day ahead of India’s must-win game against Australia in the ODI tri-series, Australian legend Neil Harvey asked Sachin Tendulkar to avoid going the Ponting way and call time on his one-day career. Amol Karhadkar & Sanjjeev Karan Samyal report. Vengsarkar hails Sachin as the greatest batsman ever

A day ahead of India’s must-win game against Australia in the ODI tri-series, one of the last two league matches it has to win if it is to make the best-of-three finals and its last chance of redeeming pride after a 0-8 drubbing in Tests abroad, Australian legend Neil Harvey asked Sachin Tendulkar to avoid going the Ponting way and call time on his one-day career.

Sachin-Tendulkar-leaves-the-field-after-being-dismissed-during-their-one-day-international-cricket-match-against-Australia-in-Brisbane-AFP-Photo-Greg-Wood

In an exclusive interview with the Hindustan Times, Harvey, part of Sir Don Bradman’s 1948 ‘Invincibles’ team and one of the most stylish left-handers the game has ever seen, said: “I agree with Kapil Dev (who said Tendulkar should retire from one-dayers immediately). Sachin has been disappointing on this tour. He normally doesn’t stop at 70 and 80. The body is not as strong, the reflexes have slowed down, and the footwork is slow.”

Ponting was dropped from the Australian ODI team after low scores in the tri-series. The Australian great said Ponting and Tendulkar were “going backwards [in their game].”

“For some strange reason the players can’t see it themselves, but it is obvious to the rest of us. They should admit when the time’s up and leave when on top.”

Dhoni also commented on the controversial rotation policy, saying it would end given the stage of the tournament. While he had earlier said the policy was in place because Tendulkar, Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir were “slow fielders” and cost “20 runs extra,” Sehwag had contradicted him, saying the idea was to give youngsters experience ahead of the next World Cup.

Tendulkar has got 90 runs in the tri-series so far, while Sehwag has got 30. The best opening stand has been 52.