Dubai: Sachin Tendulkar has called for Indian selectors and fans to respect limited-overs skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni and let him carry on playing as long as he feels he can.
The flamboyant wicketkeeper-batsman has come under fire since retiring from Test cricket at the end of last year, with one-day results since proving a disappointment.
Tendulkar, asked whether Dhoni has paced his career well, told Gulf News: “Cricketers like Dhoni have played for a long time, over ten years, and he understands himself, understands his body and mind-set better than anyone else.
“The best thing one can do is move aside and let him take decisions [about his career] rather than taking decisions for him. You have got to give that respect to the player who has done so much for the nation and I would leave it to him and let him be the best judge. He has served Indian cricket in the best manner and let him be the decision taker.”
When asked about the Indian team’s inability to win abroad, Tendulkar said: “I think we have been playing decent cricket. There have been a few changes in the team, yet we have played decent cricket and we came close to winning but are not able to cross the final hurdle. This is a young team and I can see this team playing together for some time.”
On ex-India captain Sourav Ganguly becoming a cricket administrator and whether former players should move into such roles, Tendulkar said: “I think whatever drives you from within, you should do it.
“There is no such thing that, after cricket, you have to either become a coach or an administrator. Playing cricket was the first innings of your life and the second innings should be whatever you choose to be, whatever you are passionate about.
“You might even discover something new, which you can get passionate about and you start doing those things. There is no set formula that after cricket you have to do this. Do something you are passionate about.”
Tendulkar has been promoting football in India by backing Kerala Blasters in the Indian Super League.
“Last year we had average crowds of 55,000 and this year for the first match we had 60,000-plus,” he said. “I see it only getting better and better and the following and passion is something I have not seen anywhere else.
“People from Kerala are special. They love their football and I love being there.”
So has he been enjoying his innings after cricket? “It has been good to see the other side of the coin. It is slightly difficult when I was playing to get engaged in other things and understand how people think about me, feel about me from a closer proximity. I could feel their love and passion and their affection and for me, to be able to rub shoulders with them has been a touching experience,” he said.
