6+4 = 10dulkar
Sachin Tendulkar may dominate the bowlers but he cannot be counted among the pantheon of great batsmen.
Sachin needs to win matches more consistently and more importantly win crucial matches for India. There are a number of instances when Sachin has not performed on the big occasion - ICC Knockout Matches against South Africa, England and Zimbabwe, Natwest Final, fifth one-day against England at Wankhede Stadium, Tri-series final against South Africa at Kingsmead, Durban to name a few.
This is a far cry from the Sachin upto 1998 when every final was laced by a Tendulkar ton as against Australia at Sharjah in 1998, Sri Lanka at Colombo in 1998, Zimbabwe at Sharjah in 1998 etc. Had he continued in the same vein, he would have unanimously been called a great cricketer.
I feel this is the only criterion to distinguish a great cricketer from a good one. That is why one would bet on a Steve Waugh or a Michael Bevan.
Coming to Test matches, Sachin needs to win or atleast save a few games for India overseas. It is the bowlers who generally win Test matches and the batsmen who save them. Compared to batsmen like Steve Waugh, Gary Kirsten and Mike Atherton, Tendulkar fails to impress.
Also, I do not think it is fair to compare batsmen of different eras, so all the talk about Bradman being better than Tendulkar or vice versa is preposterous and meaningless.
With all due regards to the ’’Little Champion’’, he is a good batsman with a decent technique who has scored runs in all conditions, but he still has to make that transition to greatness. Lets hope his best is not behind him and he has reserved something special for his fans. Whether he has, we’ll soon find out in February.