Allright, we all have been hearing this talk about Tendulkar not contributing in Indian cricket team’s victory, and that Tendulkar plays for himself, Tendulkar have scored most of his runs in India’s defeat. Let us have a transparent analysis on the topic. Firstly, there ain’t any batsman in Test cricket who can single handedly win matches for their respective nations. Test matches are won by bowlers, batsman can only save their team from defeat ie they can draw the match and save their team from defeat. Critics have always pointed that Tendulkar have scored most of his centuries in matches lost by India, Tendulkar haven’t won any matches for India. Individuals can contribute in their teams victory, they can’t win a match solely by themselves. Critics have a myth that Brian Lara have won many matches for West Indies. Let’s have a look at the truth -
Brian Lara’s overall Test record -
Mat Runs HS BatAv 100 50
130 11904 400* 53.14 34 48
Brian Lara in test matches lost by West Indies -
Mat Runs HS BatAv 100 50
62 5267 226 42.47 14 22
Brian Lara in test matches won By West Indies -
Mat Runs HS BatAv 100 50
32 2929 213 61.02 8 16
Now, let’s have a look at Sachin Tendulkar’s Test record -
Sachin Tendulkar’s overall Test record
Mat Runs HS BatAv 100 50
132 10469 248* 55.39 35 41
Sachin Tendulkar in Test matches lost by India -
Mat Runs HS BatAv 100 50
37 2642 177 35.70 8 9
Sachin Tendulkar in Test matches won by India -
Mat Runs HS BatAv 100 50
41 3464 248* 64.14 12 12
Conclusion - Cricket is a team game. Players can contribute to their team’s
victory, they can’t win it all alone themselves. It’s a myth that
Tendulkar’s career is for him alone, it haven’t benefited the team.
Tendulkar have been contributing to Indian team’s success for all
the 16 years played by him. Don’t believe the critics, take a look
at the facts.