Amid the pitched battle over hosting Sachin Tendulkar's 200th Test, former India captain Sourav Ganguly on Thursday said it would be a fitting tribute if the Mumbai batsman plays the milestone match at his home ground, says a report in the DNA.
"It would be the biggest thing if Tendulkar gets to play the 200th Test in Mumbai purely on emotional grounds. He has all his friends and family members there. At this moment, it seems it would be impossible for anybody to break the record of playing 200th Tests. It would be fulfilling moment for him," ," Ganguly said on Tendulkar, who is two Tests shy of the milestone.
"Hope we all would be there. It would be a treat to watch Sachin take guard for his 200th Test. This moment would not come again, Sachin should enjoy the moment fully," said Ganguly who also hailed the BCCI's initiative to squeeze in the West Indies home series in view of Tendulkar's 200th Test.
Meanwhile a column in The Indian Express says that some might think it is the by-product of games played on another field, some might believe that he is the primary reason, but at the end of it all, Sachin Tendulkar will play his two hundredth Test in India, most likely at the Wankhede Stadium where he scored his first first-class century.
“You'll never know the real reason, the BCCI won't really say anything and Tendulkar well, he tends to keep his cards close to his chest doesn't he! If indeed the upheaval in itineraries is to allow Tendulkar to play that two hundredth at home, then I'm afraid it is wrong. It is an astonishing landmark, even for a staggering cricketer (and let's be honest, we don't know if he asked for it) but if everyone began moving schedules around to accommodate people there would be more variables than in a political scenario,” says the column, adding that but if this is to allow him to play his last game at the Wankhede Stadium (and again, Tendulkar himself hasn't even indicated thus), I think we can look at it differently.
“Yes, the argument of moving schedules for one person is still valid but we are an emotional people, and to that extent our sporting ethos is a bit different, and we are talking of someone who has given more joy to Indians than almost anyone else. A farewell before the fans is not wrong. It is, in fact quite a nice thing to do. And it would give all those that benefit from the Tendulkar industry one last opportunity as well!,” reads the column.
Meanwhile a column in The Hindu says that Tendulkar is not just another great player, he is a genius and everytime a question is raised about his retirement, he silences his critics with his performance.
“He plans his nets and gym sessions to perfection even at the age of 40. He prepares methodically and meticulously. Last season, even against a Ranji attack which was ordinary for him, he planned to spend more time in the middle and he did. One should learn the art of staying at the crease from him. His quitting T20 means that he has decided to concentrate on the longer version and people who know him feel that he will continue after his 200th Test,” reads a column, adding that as history shows, one never knows when a well-drafted plan goes wrong. As much as you try to tie up the loose ends, things don’t necessarily work the way they are expected to be.