Geoffrey Boycott says Sachin Tendulkar's 'looming' 200th Test milestone 'root' of India-South Africa spat

England legend Geoffrey Boycott has said that he believes that Indian maestro Sachin Tendulkar's looming 200th-Test milestone is the root of the dispute over India's summer tour of South Africa.

The report mentioned that tensions between new Cricket South Africa (CSA) chief executive Haroon Lorgat and the Indian cricket board are widely thought to be primarily behind the Indian threat to severely curtail the intended visit.

However, the former England opening batsman said that Tendulkar was responsible for the tour being 'caught in a storm', although he was quick to absolve Tendulkar of all blame, Sport24 reports.

Believing that the dispute is about the Indian batting star, Boycott also said that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) wants to shorten the intended three-Test series in South Africa and play a home Test against West Indies so as to coincide with Tendulkar reaching the unique 200-game landmark.

According to Boycott, although there is nothing wrong with Tendulkar playing 200 Tests as he is a fantastic player, he did not ask for the series to be curtailed, adding that it is not right on the BCCI's part to go back on their word as they promised to play three Test matches in South Africa.

Although the Indian board insisted that their CSA counterparts acted prematurely and without full Indian approval in revealing the supposed itinerary, Boycott remained adamant on his stance and said that India would have reacted in the same way had it happened to them.

Boycott also said that India should wisely use their position of being the most powerful cricket board in the world, adding that putting Tendulkar's reputation in this position is unworthy of the BCCI as he does not deserve a row to spoil his big day.

Boycott further said that he thinks that India needs to fulfill their obligations as South Africa has sponsors and their public has a right to see the matches.