Rajeev Shukla has echoed the voice of the likes of Sunil Gavaskar and BCCI chief N Srinivasan and has made it clear that Sachin Tendulkar himself will decide when he wants to bid adieu to the Test cricket. According to Shukla, Sachin contributed a lot to Indian Cricket and has made the whole nation proud and that’s why he deserves to take retirement on his own terms rather than under pressure from his critics.
According to the reports in Times of India, Rajeev Shukla was quoted saying, "His immense contribution not just for Indian cricket but to the entire cricketing world is something for which everybody respects him. We are in no hurry to take a decision on his retirement and personally I feel that he knows it better than anybody else about his retirement.”
Tendulkar’s poor form continued in the third successive home series and in the recent series against Australia he managed to cross the fifty run mark just once but Rajiv Shukla was unmoved by the fact.
He was quoted by Indian Express saying, "As far as records are concerned, nobody in the cricketing world has a better record than him. Judging a class batsman of his caliber on the basis of one or two series is nothing but immature behaviour. We can’t let him go without a well-deserved farewell.”
Shula’s views resonate with the BCCI President, N Srinivasan who last week came out in support of Sachin Tendulkar and dismissed the rumors of his retirement. N Srinivasan made it clear that a batsman of Tendulkar’s class should not be forced on the decision of his retirement.
On the participation of Sri-Lankan players in the sixth edition of IPL, Rajiv Shukla was quoted by The Hindu, saying, “Security of Lankan player is our primary concern and that’s why the decision of not allowing them for Chennai matches has been taken. There was no sort of pressure and we had taken a middle path by taking into the consideration the sentiments of the State (Tamil Nadu) government as well as the security of the players.”
"Changing the venues over-night is not possible and that’s why we are sticking to our schedule and venues. A lot of time is required to prepare the stadium to host these matches and that’s why the decision of not shifting the matches from Chennai has been taken. Sri-Lankan board has also supported this decision and has finally agreed with the decision of IPL governing council.”