Sachin Tendulkar scored a brilliant hundred in Ranji Trophy and got instant support as former wicket-keeper batsman from Australia Adam Gilchrist said that it should be left to the "little god" to decide the time of his retirement, says a report in The Times of India.
"The focus will be on Sachin Tendulkar during the series against England and Australia. If he thinks he warrants a place in the team, he will carry on. Otherwise, he won't do anything that will have a negative impact on the team. He is aware of what all is happening around him. He has been a great servant of cricket and has earned the right to decide when to quit," Gilchrist said.
"I'd be frightened of doubting the little god. He is a great player and he knows when to quit," he said.
On Sachin’s decision of playing in Ranji Trophy, Gilchrist said, “He is featuring in a Ranji match today and that tells you about his intent. Clearly, he is gearing up for the series against England. He knows how big the series is."
On the upcoming Test series he said, “It's going to be a great series. The last time India played England, they lost all the four Tests but that is unfathomable this time.”
Meanwhile, The Hindu reports that Sachin Tendulkar (137 off 136 balls) and Ajinkya Rahane (105 batting, 207 balls) helped Mumbai reach 344 for four on the first day of their Ranji Trophy encounter.
“For Tendulkar at the business end, the ball mattered and each delivery was to be dealt with on merit, the bowler’s identity consigned to the background in his cricketing brain. He decided on the terms of engagement from the crease, leaning into strokes without any hint of indecision. He took time to get his eye in, and his feet moving, and then unfurled the master-class, frame by frame in real-time, for the benefit of youngsters in rival ranks and fans filling up the public stands at Wankhede as word spread about his appearance,” says the report.