Sachin Tendulkar spoke on the 2016-17 season in which India won 10 out of 13 Tests and losing only one after the launch of his app ‘100MB’ in Mumbai on Thursday.
Sachin Tendulkar believed that the Indian Test team under Virat Kohli will continue to maintain the No. 1 Test status when they resume the longer format later in the year. Tendulkar spoke on the 2016-17 season in which India won 10 out of 13 Tests and losing only one after the launch of his app ‘100MB’ in Mumbai on Thursday.
Excerpts from his interaction with the media:
On India’s performance in the just-concluded season…
The season has been tremendous for our team. There have been challenging moments, and those moments were when our Nos. 7, 8 and 9 contributed big time (with the bat). Those were critical moments when the Test match could have gone either way. When any team who has that kind of strength where the bowlers can go out and score those crucial runs, the wicketkeeper can go out and score a hundred for them, you become a solid side. Obviously, the first six batters and then Nos. 7, 8 and 9 contributing were crucial.
On wicketkeeper Wriddhiman Saha also scoring centuries, two in the season and three in the last 17 Tests…
Incredible. These guys have played well at home in crunch moments that can decide the match and sometimes the series. That, I felt, was the difference. You can see, both teams going neck-and-neck, and one team starts pulling away from it. You can see that happen, and that’s what happened.
On whether the other countries envy the Indian team…
Absolutely. When we have the full strength, it is a good problem to have. Whom to leave out. That means your bench strength is really strong. That is how the champion teams are. Am sure everyone is watching us the way we have played. To maintain and to stay at this level is something I am sure everyone is wanting to do and the rest of us are looking forward once they resume. I have got a lot of faith and confidence in our team.
On whether it is pleasing to see India being looked at an example for other countries…
I think the way guys have shown discipline and commitment is tremendous. Thirteen Tests at home, I don’t remember anything like that happening during my days. And someone like Umesh (Yadav) has played in 12 of them. For a fast bowler, it is really taxing. That shows, you have got to work on your body. And if you are able to do that… Umesh is the type of bowler who gets better the more he bowls. You could see that. The last innings of the season he bowled was possibly the best spell.
On a Mumbaikar (Ajinkya Rahane) leading India to a Test win after a long time…
Ajinkya Rahane…
The last Mumbaikar who led India to win in his first Test was myself in Delhi, India vs Australia, 1996 (laughs).
On how impressive Umesh Yadav was, taking 30 wickets in the season…
Somebody who bowls good reverse swing will always be effective in India. Because of the surface, the texture, there will be reverse swing. In Dharamsala, Umesh bowled damn good reverse swing.
On how exciting the India-Australia series has been…
The series has always been exciting. You take 1998 to 2000, 2004, it has always been exciting.
On Cheteshwar Pujara’s consistency…
Pujara has been a silent warrior. He has terrific temperament, is someone who is dedicated, disciplined and focussed. I have seen him from close quarters and I was impressed with what I saw. I knew then that this guys is there for a long time.
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