Sachin is one of world’s greatest sportsmen

Ican’t claim to be an expert on cricket. I’ve been involved in a couple of matches with Vodafone when we visited New Delhi and Melbourne; and while I used to play at school, I wasn’t particularly good, so I’m not the best person to speak to about Sachin Tendulkar.

But having said that, I think I know enough about the game and its history and his career to know that he’s an absolutely incredible cricketer – one of, if not the greatest, batsman in cricketing history.

In the same way that a racing driver has an extremely personal connection with his car, Sachin has that same, innate association with his bat and a cricket ball. When Sachin is batting, it’s almost as if he can anticipate how to attack each shot before the ball has even left the bowler’s fingers; he takes on shots with a feel that few others possess.

But that’s not what makes him a great cricketer — it’s Sachin’s belief, determination and passion for the game that truly marks him out as one of the sport’s greatest superstars. He’s always hungry for victory, he wants to win, and he wants to uphold the honour of India through even the toughest of situations. And that’s great about him.

It was only when I visited India that I fully appreciated just how important cricket is to the country. In Sachin, the country has a superstar of whom it can be hugely proud – not only is he a national sporting hero, but he is also one of the world’s greatest sportsmen.

(The writer drives for Vodafone McLaren Mercedes and won the Formula One championship in 2008)