Connect with us

Sports

U-19 WC: Sachin credits infrastructure for success (Lead)

Published

on

Kolkata, Feb 4 (IANS) Former cricketer Sachin Tendulkar on Sunday credited the sports infrastructure in India for the success of the U-19 cricket team in the World Cup, adding the boys in blue stood out from the rest of the competitors in their successful campaign at the mega youth event.

“Credit to BCCI for giving them the infrastructure. In the last 15 years, playing cricket has changed, the standard of fielding has changed.

“It’s all because of better infrastructure and ground maintenance. It reflects on the field,” Tendulkar told the media on the sidelines of IDBI Federal Life Insurance Kolkata Full Marathon.

“The way they have prepared themselves physically, mentally… their planning and the execution was on top. That’s why it was evident that Indian team stood apart from the rest of the competitors,” Tendulkar added.

India won a record fourth Under-19 World Cup after registering an eight-wicket win against Australia in the final on Saturday in New Zealand.

Throughout the tournament, the Prithvi Shaw-skippered side were dominant in their performances.

“It’s been a tremendous achievement that requires a great team work to realise big dreams. We have been able to do that,” Tendulkar said.

The 44-year old reserved special praise for coach and long-time teammate Rahul Dravid and his support staff.

“Without any doubt, Dravid’s contribution has been terrific, and it has worked for the team and with the support staff. He (Dravid) himself said that. Rahul (Dravid), Paras (Mhambrey) and (fielding coach) Abhay (Sharma) have also been a part of it. A big achievement for all of them,” he said.

Speaking on the marathon, Tendulkar said seniors should try and catch up with the younger ones and stay fit in the process.

“When I saw these kids standing on the front row, my message to all the seniors was catch them if you can. They are going to run way. It’s time to keep up with them. They have got the message. It’s important that seniors also respond to that,” he said.

Participants queued in front of the stage for autographs and selfies with the batting great who has played 200 Tests and 463 One Day Internationals for India scoring a record 15,921 runs in the longest format and 18,426 runs in the 50-over format.

Tendulkar was seen in a relaxed mood, obliging almost each and every fan and even bringing out a selfie stick to click group photographs. He interacted with a few kids even, signalling them to keep running and make a statement.

–IANS
dm/ahm/qd

Continue Reading

Home

Sunil Gavaskar gives his opinion of GT allrounder Rahul Tewatia

Published

on

The left-handed batsman from Haryana is garnering praise from all quarters for the way he’s finishing games regularly in the most exciting IPL season.

Gavaskar reckons Tewatia’s whirlwind knock in Sharjah (in IPL 2020) where he smashed West Indies pacer Sheldon Cottrell for five sixes in an over, gave him the confidence that he belongs to the big stage.

Speaking on Cricket Live on Star Sports, Gavaskar said, “That assault on Sheldon Cottrell in Sharjah gave him the belief to do the impossible and the confidence that he belongs here. We saw the impossible (he did with the bat) the other day as well. There’s no twitching or touching the pads (which shows a batter’s nervousness) when he bats in the death overs. He just waits for the ball to be delivered and plays his shots. He’s got all the shots in the book, but most importantly his temperament to stay cool in a crisis is brilliant.”

Gavaskar has also nicknamed the 28-year-old cricketer the ‘ice-man’ and lauded Tewatia’s ability to remain unruffled during the tense moments.

Continue Reading

Trending