Sachin Tendulkar's photo gets 47,415 likes on Facebook

New Delhi: One of the photographs of batting maestro Sachin Tendulkar has got 47,415 likes on his Facebook page after he uploaded it on Monday.

The photo has Sachin standing at the edge of a railing at the Falaknuma Palace in Hyderabad with the caption reading, "Enjoying the view at Falaknuma Palace, Hyderabad."

With in six hours of uploading the photo it got 39,262 likes and was shared by 1942 people. The photo has also received 2,808 comments.

(With IANS inputs)

Source : www.Ndtv.com visited on 18/09/2012

Will produce better results on away tours in future: Tendulkar

New Delhi: Master Blaster Sachin Tendulkar on Thursday said that Team India are confident of a good show at home against England and Australia but will certainly aim at preparing well when they play away series against these two teams next time.

"We need to look at one factor. When we played against Australia, they were the home team. England also played at home. There is no point in saying that India only plays well at home. Why do we always look at one side of the coin, it should be always fair," the senior batsman said.

"I feel that it does not come as an excuse for us to go somewhere and not play well. We need to go abroad and win. It's as simple as that. We have done it before (winning abroad). Both England and Australia tours were tough for us. We should make every possible effort to perfect our preparation and produce better results," Tendulkar told a news channel.

The master batsman also admitted that things didn't go as per plan in England and Australia.

India lost eight consecutive Test matches against England and Australia last season.

Tendulkar said that Team India always go out there to perform well but sometimes it just does not work.

"Ideally, we want to win each and every match and that is how we want to prepare ourselves. But sometimes, it's humanly impossible. There are some ups and downs. The best of the teams have rather faced or seen the other side of the coin," he said.

On playing along side his son, Arjun, he said, "I have never thought of it. I used to visit Bandra for hispractice sessions. I just stand at non-striker stand. Just to see how he calls for single and twos. Beyond that, I have not thought of playing with him. It may happen at some exhibition match or club-level game.

"Arjun likes to watch cricket. I have not forced him to make cricket his career. He is passionate about the sport," he said.

Source : NDTV. (2012). ahtlete help. Available: http://sports.ndtv.com/cricket/news/item/194198-will-produce-better-results-on-away-tours-in-future-tendulkar. Last accessed 31st July 2012.

When Sachin Tendulkar bought a second-hand BMW

One of the richest cricketers of the world at the moment, Sachin Tendulkar today revisited the time when the not-so-well-off batsman managed to buy his favourite luxury car, albeit a second-hand one.

Known for his passion for cars, Tendulkar in 1993 bought a BMW at the age 20, four years into his international career.

"I have always been a BMW fan but the real association with it started when I was 14. One of the firstBMWs that I drove and owned was in 1993. My pockets were not so deep back then so I had to opt for a second-hand BMW and it was a joy to drive that car," Tendulkar said at the launch of a new series of the iconic German car.

According to international magazine 'Forbes', the 39-year-old earned USD 18.6 million last year, and a vast majority of Tendulkar's earnings came from sponsorship deals.

The legend currently has 16 sponsors, including global brands like Adidas, Coca-Cola, Castrol and Toshiba, and they pay a total of USD 16.5 million for his services.

"I drove that car for a few years and moved on to better BMWs like the X5 and M5," India's run machine said. Tendulkar, one of the first few people to test drive the German luxury car maker's new launch in London this month, said he enjoys being in the driver's seat.

"To be honest, I prefer driving. My driver normally gets to sit at the back. There are occasions when I am travelling with my family, then I sit at the back," he said.


Source : Ndtv.com visited on 27 th July 2012.

Sachin Tendulkar's interests not same as India's

Bangalore: Will Sachin Tendulkar be in the team for the 2015 World Cup? He will be 42 then, would have scored even more runs and even more centuries and even more 23s or 75s or 53s or whatever excites cricket statisticians and would have even fewer worlds to conquer than Alexander the Great. His fans would love him to play, the hosts can bank on another round of farewells and final appearances, and his commercial agents will cartwheel all the way to the bank.

But if he is not likely to play, then he has no business being in the Indian team to Sri Lanka this month. In some 36 years since the first tournament, the World Cup has become both a convenient starting point as well as the obvious finishing point for one-day cricket. The four-year cycle gives countries enough time to experiment, consolidate or revamp their teams. Tendulkar has already played six World Cups, and last year achieved his life's ambition of finishing on the winning side.

It would have been a good time to bid farewell to the shorter form of the game to focus on Test cricket and the lucrative IPL. Instead he has been allowed to pick and choose his matches, and the BCCI, so firm and so decisive when it comes to fringe players, is pusillanimity itself when dealing with the seniors.

Of Indian cricket's golden generation, Javagal Srinath, Sourav Ganguly, Anil Kumble, and most recently Rahul Dravid said goodbye on their own terms knowing that if they had kicked in their heels and stayed put, the Board would not have known how to react. There was never a proper entry policy, so it might be too much to expect an exit policy from the Board, yet the players deserve the courtesy of being told how and when. Just as the Board deserves to know from the players just what their plans are.

Sentiment aside, the end of the World Cup was the ideal moment for Tendulkar to have called it a day. He was 38, had to necessarily slow down, and there was no charm in hanging on. The one hundredth international hundred became a distraction, and when it finally came, against Bangladesh in the Asia Cup, it actually led to a defeat since too many deliveries were used up in the latter stages.

The 2011 victory made up for the 2007 World Cup disaster in the West Indies, but already in four years the team had moved on. Now, with three years to go for the next tournament, India must rebuild. Allowing Tendulkar to pick and choose would mean keeping a younger man on tenterhooks or finding at the last moment that a replacement is not ready to take over yet.

I have made the point before that Tendulkar is a creature controlled by his commercial interests - he is a cottage industry which supports the lives of many professionals, all of whom stand to lose if he stops playing. But clearly Tendulkar's interests are no longer the same as the country's, certainly not in One-Day Internationals.

It is a judgement call. Selectors must decide whether Tendulkar is sound investment for 2015, and if they feel he is not, he should be told gently. With the IPL entering the equation, it is not just patriotism that must be satisfied but the bank balance too. It was unfair of Tendulkar to have pulled out of the West Indies tour, for example, to get fit after the IPL.

This week has seen two leading contemporary players bid adieu for different reasons. The fast bowler Brett Lee is simply tired, while the wicketkeeper Mark Boucher may lose an eye in a horrific accident behind the stumps. If the 2015 World Cup is in his sights, Tendulkar should play on but without deciding when and where. If it isn't, he should be honest and inform the selectors. The chairman of selectors was his first international captain - that should make things a bit easier.

Source : WWW.Ndtv.com visited on 24th July 2012 .....

New Delhi: Sachin Tendulkar and Rekha have their work cut out for them. The two MPs, nominated to the Rajya Sabha in May this year, have been made members of standing committees of Parliament. Their star power will be divided. While God of Cricket Sachin has been made a member of a committee on IT, Rekha will join a group that looks at Food and Civil Supplies. On her first day in the Rajya Sabha, the actor left the house after 20 minutes. A standing committee combines Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha members from different parties. Its job is to cover a ministry or department of the Union Government in order to "further strengthen the accountability of the Government to Parliament." It can study bills relevant to its ministry and look at long-term policy of that department

New Delhi: Sachin Tendulkar and Rekha have their work cut out for them. The two MPs, nominated to the Rajya Sabha in May this year, have been made members of standing committees of Parliament.  

Their star power will be divided. While God of Cricket Sachin has been made a member of a committee on IT, Rekha will join a group that looks at Food and Civil Supplies. On her first day in the Rajya Sabha, the actor left the house after 20 minutes.

A standing committee combines Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha members from different parties. Its job is to cover a ministry or department of the Union Government in order to "further strengthen the accountability of the Government to Parliament."  It can study bills relevant to its ministry and look at long-term policy of that department.


Source : Ndtv.com visited on 23 rd July 2012 

Sachin, Yuvraj laud Brett Lee on Twitter

New Delhi: Their on-field face-offs were among the most exhilarating sights in international cricket and as Australian speedster Brett Lee drew curtains on his injury-ravaged career, senior Indian batsman Sachin Tendulkar paid tribute to him saying that it was a "joy" to pad up against the pacer.

"BrettLee_58 Its been a joy to play against u Binga. Congratulations for a successful career.... All the best wishes to you for the future," tweeted Tendulkar.

Lee responded with as much respect, saying that the Indian brought out the best in him.

"@sachin_rt yes mate it's been fun. Thanks for all the hard battles on the pitch. You definitely brought the best out of me," said the 35-year-old, who endured several injuries in a 13-year career before calling it day on Friday.

Not just Tendulkar, Yuvraj Singh, recuperating after undergoing chemotherapy for a rare germ cellcancer, also lauded the affable Australian, often described as 'the smiling assasin'.

"A man who always bowld his heart out A match winnr champion bowlr wrld clas athlete a lovely friend a good human I'm sad bret lee hs retired," said Yuvraj.

"My favourite lee moment 2004 india vs aus at perth vb series ! Gilly was standing on 30 yard circle and binga was firing 155km! Phew!!," recalled the left-hander.

Lee was quick to acknowledge, saying "@YUVSTRONG12 thanks legend, hope you're going strong."

Tendulkar also paid tribute to South African wicketkeeper Mark Boucher who was forced to retire recently after sustaining an eye injury.

"Markb46 What a tragic injury to end Mark Boucher's career. Certainly one of the greatest wkt keepers the game has seen. SA will miss him," he said on the social networking site.

Source : www.Ndtv.com visited on 17th July 2012

Nobody will be able to replace Dravid at No. 3: Sachin Tendulkar

New Delhi: Sachin Tendulkar reckons Rahul Dravid's retirement has left an huge void in the Indian cricket team and it would be impossible to find an able replacement for such an "incredible" player.

"Rahul has been an incredible player for India and for world cricket. Nobody is going to be able to replace Rahul in that position," Tendulkar said.

Dravid has amassed more runs at No 3 than anyone in the history of Test cricket, including the likes of Sir Donald Bradman and Ricky Ponting.

"You need someone to be dedicated, be committed and disciplined. The entire country will miss him because we were all used to Rahul padding up batting at number 3.

"So obliviously these things will continue to happen because that's how the game goes around for years. Before our generation, there were so many great players but the game continues," Tendulkar told a news channel.

Dravid has scored 13,288 runs in 164 Tests. Indian cricket today is a far cry from what it was around the time Tendulkar started out, and the last couple of years have been a mixed bag, with the team experiencing success and failures in equal measure.

Asked if there was any problem with the system, Tendulkar responded in negative.

"I don't think we can point our fingers at our structure because with that same structure we hit the number one spot. So if there was something wrong with the structure, we would have never reached that spot.

"I just feel, you know, that if you compare the Australian series and you felt they always managed to get one big partnership. We were able to pick up early wickets, then invariably there was one partnership which tilted the game in their favour and there were not many big partnerships in our side."

"There are two ways to look at it. The batsmen aren't scoring enough runs and on the other side the bowlers are allowing that one big partnership because one side was getting that advantage of one big partnership, the other side was not," Tendulkar said.

A hectic season awaits the Indian team, starting with New Zealand's tour to the country for a three-Test series in September followed by home series against England and Australia, and Tendulkar was well aware of it.

"Every season is important but this one I am sure everyone is looking for because it is England followed by Australia. It is going to be a competitive season.

"All I can say is we need all the backing, all the support to put up a good performance and produce that kind of cricket that everyone is expecting us to, and entertain everyone."

According to the veteran batsman from Mumbai, the series against New Zealand will set the platform.

"We are playing a Test series after a long time in India and it is against the top two Test sides, England and Australia. The series against New Zealand, I feel, that is going to set a good platform and will be important. We are looking forward to it," said Tendulkar.

New Delhi: Sachin Tendulkar reckons Rahul Dravid's retirement has left an huge void in the Indian cricket team and it would be impossible to find an able replacement for such an "incredible" player.

"Rahul has been an incredible player for India and for world cricket. Nobody is going to be able to replace Rahul in that position," Tendulkar said.

Dravid has amassed more runs at No 3 than anyone in the history of Test cricket, including the likes of Sir Donald Bradman and Ricky Ponting.

"You need someone to be dedicated, be committed and disciplined. The entire country will miss him because we were all used to Rahul padding up batting at number 3.

"So obliviously these things will continue to happen because that's how the game goes around for years. Before our generation, there were so many great players but the game continues," Tendulkar told a news channel.

Dravid has scored 13,288 runs in 164 Tests. Indian cricket today is a far cry from what it was around the time Tendulkar started out, and the last couple of years have been a mixed bag, with the team experiencing success and failures in equal measure.

Asked if there was any problem with the system, Tendulkar responded in negative.

"I don't think we can point our fingers at our structure because with that same structure we hit the number one spot. So if there was something wrong with the structure, we would have never reached that spot.

"I just feel, you know, that if you compare the Australian series and you felt they always managed to get one big partnership. We were able to pick up early wickets, then invariably there was one partnership which tilted the game in their favour and there were not many big partnerships in our side."

"There are two ways to look at it. The batsmen aren't scoring enough runs and on the other side the bowlers are allowing that one big partnership because one side was getting that advantage of one big partnership, the other side was not," Tendulkar said.

A hectic season awaits the Indian team, starting with New Zealand's tour to the country for a three-Test series in September followed by home series against England and Australia, and Tendulkar was well aware of it.

"Every season is important but this one I am sure everyone is looking for because it is England followed by Australia. It is going to be a competitive season.

"All I can say is we need all the backing, all the support to put up a good performance and produce that kind of cricket that everyone is expecting us to, and entertain everyone."

According to the veteran batsman from Mumbai, the series against New Zealand will set the platform.

"We are playing a Test series after a long time in India and it is against the top two Test sides, England and Australia. The series against New Zealand, I feel, that is going to set a good platform and will be important. We are looking forward to it," said Tendulkar.

New Delhi: Sachin Tendulkar reckons Rahul Dravid's retirement has left an huge void in the Indian cricket team and it would be impossible to find an able replacement for such an "incredible" player.

"Rahul has been an incredible player for India and for world cricket. Nobody is going to be able to replace Rahul in that position," Tendulkar said.

Dravid has amassed more runs at No 3 than anyone in the history of Test cricket, including the likes of Sir Donald Bradman and Ricky Ponting.

"You need someone to be dedicated, be committed and disciplined. The entire country will miss him because we were all used to Rahul padding up batting at number 3.

"So obliviously these things will continue to happen because that's how the game goes around for years. Before our generation, there were so many great players but the game continues," Tendulkar told a news channel.

Dravid has scored 13,288 runs in 164 Tests. Indian cricket today is a far cry from what it was around the time Tendulkar started out, and the last couple of years have been a mixed bag, with the team experiencing success and failures in equal measure.

Asked if there was any problem with the system, Tendulkar responded in negative.

"I don't think we can point our fingers at our structure because with that same structure we hit the number one spot. So if there was something wrong with the structure, we would have never reached that spot.

"I just feel, you know, that if you compare the Australian series and you felt they always managed to get one big partnership. We were able to pick up early wickets, then invariably there was one partnership which tilted the game in their favour and there were not many big partnerships in our side."

"There are two ways to look at it. The batsmen aren't scoring enough runs and on the other side the bowlers are allowing that one big partnership because one side was getting that advantage of one big partnership, the other side was not," Tendulkar said.

A hectic season awaits the Indian team, starting with New Zealand's tour to the country for a three-Test series in September followed by home series against England and Australia, and Tendulkar was well aware of it.

"Every season is important but this one I am sure everyone is looking for because it is England followed by Australia. It is going to be a competitive season.

"All I can say is we need all the backing, all the support to put up a good performance and produce that kind of cricket that everyone is expecting us to, and entertain everyone."

According to the veteran batsman from Mumbai, the series against New Zealand will set the platform.

"We are playing a Test series after a long time in India and it is against the top two Test sides, England and Australia. The series against New Zealand, I feel, that is going to set a good platform and will be important. We are looking forward to it," said Tendulkar.

New Delhi: Sachin Tendulkar reckons Rahul Dravid's retirement has left an huge void in the Indian cricket team and it would be impossible to find an able replacement for such an "incredible" player.

"Rahul has been an incredible player for India and for world cricket. Nobody is going to be able to replace Rahul in that position," Tendulkar said.

Dravid has amassed more runs at No 3 than anyone in the history of Test cricket, including the likes of Sir Donald Bradman and Ricky Ponting.

"You need someone to be dedicated, be committed and disciplined. The entire country will miss him because we were all used to Rahul padding up batting at number 3.

"So obliviously these things will continue to happen because that's how the game goes around for years. Before our generation, there were so many great players but the game continues," Tendulkar told a news channel.

Dravid has scored 13,288 runs in 164 Tests. Indian cricket today is a far cry from what it was around the time Tendulkar started out, and the last couple of years have been a mixed bag, with the team experiencing success and failures in equal measure.

Asked if there was any problem with the system, Tendulkar responded in negative.

"I don't think we can point our fingers at our structure because with that same structure we hit the number one spot. So if there was something wrong with the structure, we would have never reached that spot.

"I just feel, you know, that if you compare the Australian series and you felt they always managed to get one big partnership. We were able to pick up early wickets, then invariably there was one partnership which tilted the game in their favour and there were not many big partnerships in our side."

"There are two ways to look at it. The batsmen aren't scoring enough runs and on the other side the bowlers are allowing that one big partnership because one side was getting that advantage of one big partnership, the other side was not," Tendulkar said.

A hectic season awaits the Indian team, starting with New Zealand's tour to the country for a three-Test series in September followed by home series against England and Australia, and Tendulkar was well aware of it.

"Every season is important but this one I am sure everyone is looking for because it is England followed by Australia. It is going to be a competitive season.

"All I can say is we need all the backing, all the support to put up a good performance and produce that kind of cricket that everyone is expecting us to, and entertain everyone."

According to the veteran batsman from Mumbai, the series against New Zealand will set the platform.

"We are playing a Test series after a long time in India and it is against the top two Test sides, England and Australia. The series against New Zealand, I feel, that is going to set a good platform and will be important. We are looking forward to it," said Tendulkar.

New Delhi: Sachin Tendulkar reckons Rahul Dravid's retirement has left an huge void in the Indian cricket team and it would be impossible to find an able replacement for such an "incredible" player.

"Rahul has been an incredible player for India and for world cricket. Nobody is going to be able to replace Rahul in that position," Tendulkar said.

Dravid has amassed more runs at No 3 than anyone in the history of Test cricket, including the likes of Sir Donald Bradman and Ricky Ponting.

"You need someone to be dedicated, be committed and disciplined. The entire country will miss him because we were all used to Rahul padding up batting at number 3.

"So obliviously these things will continue to happen because that's how the game goes around for years. Before our generation, there were so many great players but the game continues," Tendulkar told a news channel.

Dravid has scored 13,288 runs in 164 Tests. Indian cricket today is a far cry from what it was around the time Tendulkar started out, and the last couple of years have been a mixed bag, with the team experiencing success and failures in equal measure.

Asked if there was any problem with the system, Tendulkar responded in negative.

"I don't think we can point our fingers at our structure because with that same structure we hit the number one spot. So if there was something wrong with the structure, we would have never reached that spot.

"I just feel, you know, that if you compare the Australian series and you felt they always managed to get one big partnership. We were able to pick up early wickets, then invariably there was one partnership which tilted the game in their favour and there were not many big partnerships in our side."

"There are two ways to look at it. The batsmen aren't scoring enough runs and on the other side the bowlers are allowing that one big partnership because one side was getting that advantage of one big partnership, the other side was not," Tendulkar said.

A hectic season awaits the Indian team, starting with New Zealand's tour to the country for a three-Test series in September followed by home series against England and Australia, and Tendulkar was well aware of it.

"Every season is important but this one I am sure everyone is looking for because it is England followed by Australia. It is going to be a competitive season.

"All I can say is we need all the backing, all the support to put up a good performance and produce that kind of cricket that everyone is expecting us to, and entertain everyone."

According to the veteran batsman from Mumbai, the series against New Zealand will set the platform.

"We are playing a Test series after a long time in India and it is against the top two Test sides, England and Australia. The series against New Zealand, I feel, that is going to set a good platform and will be important. We are looking forward to it," said Tendulkar.

New Delhi: Sachin Tendulkar reckons Rahul Dravid's retirement has left an huge void in the Indian cricket team and it would be impossible to find an able replacement for such an "incredible" player.

"Rahul has been an incredible player for India and for world cricket. Nobody is going to be able to replace Rahul in that position," Tendulkar said.

Dravid has amassed more runs at No 3 than anyone in the history of Test cricket, including the likes of Sir Donald Bradman and Ricky Ponting.

"You need someone to be dedicated, be committed and disciplined. The entire country will miss him because we were all used to Rahul padding up batting at number 3.

"So obliviously these things will continue to happen because that's how the game goes around for years. Before our generation, there were so many great players but the game continues," Tendulkar told a news channel.

Dravid has scored 13,288 runs in 164 Tests. Indian cricket today is a far cry from what it was around the time Tendulkar started out, and the last couple of years have been a mixed bag, with the team experiencing success and failures in equal measure.

Asked if there was any problem with the system, Tendulkar responded in negative.

"I don't think we can point our fingers at our structure because with that same structure we hit the number one spot. So if there was something wrong with the structure, we would have never reached that spot.

"I just feel, you know, that if you compare the Australian series and you felt they always managed to get one big partnership. We were able to pick up early wickets, then invariably there was one partnership which tilted the game in their favour and there were not many big partnerships in our side."

"There are two ways to look at it. The batsmen aren't scoring enough runs and on the other side the bowlers are allowing that one big partnership because one side was getting that advantage of one big partnership, the other side was not," Tendulkar said.

A hectic season awaits the Indian team, starting with New Zealand's tour to the country for a three-Test series in September followed by home series against England and Australia, and Tendulkar was well aware of it.

"Every season is important but this one I am sure everyone is looking for because it is England followed by Australia. It is going to be a competitive season.

"All I can say is we need all the backing, all the support to put up a good performance and produce that kind of cricket that everyone is expecting us to, and entertain everyone."

According to the veteran batsman from Mumbai, the series against New Zealand will set the platform.

"We are playing a Test series after a long time in India and it is against the top two Test sides, England and Australia. The series against New Zealand, I feel, that is going to set a good platform and will be important. We are looking forward to it," said Tendulkar.

New Delhi: Sachin Tendulkar reckons Rahul Dravid's retirement has left an huge void in the Indian cricket team and it would be impossible to find an able replacement for such an "incredible" player.

"Rahul has been an incredible player for India and for world cricket. Nobody is going to be able to replace Rahul in that position," Tendulkar said.

Dravid has amassed more runs at No 3 than anyone in the history of Test cricket, including the likes of Sir Donald Bradman and Ricky Ponting.

"You need someone to be dedicated, be committed and disciplined. The entire country will miss him because we were all used to Rahul padding up batting at number 3.

"So obliviously these things will continue to happen because that's how the game goes around for years. Before our generation, there were so many great players but the game continues," Tendulkar told a news channel.

Dravid has scored 13,288 runs in 164 Tests. Indian cricket today is a far cry from what it was around the time Tendulkar started out, and the last couple of years have been a mixed bag, with the team experiencing success and failures in equal measure.

Asked if there was any problem with the system, Tendulkar responded in negative.

"I don't think we can point our fingers at our structure because with that same structure we hit the number one spot. So if there was something wrong with the structure, we would have never reached that spot.

"I just feel, you know, that if you compare the Australian series and you felt they always managed to get one big partnership. We were able to pick up early wickets, then invariably there was one partnership which tilted the game in their favour and there were not many big partnerships in our side."

"There are two ways to look at it. The batsmen aren't scoring enough runs and on the other side the bowlers are allowing that one big partnership because one side was getting that advantage of one big partnership, the other side was not," Tendulkar said.

A hectic season awaits the Indian team, starting with New Zealand's tour to the country for a three-Test series in September followed by home series against England and Australia, and Tendulkar was well aware of it.

"Every season is important but this one I am sure everyone is looking for because it is England followed by Australia. It is going to be a competitive season.

"All I can say is we need all the backing, all the support to put up a good performance and produce that kind of cricket that everyone is expecting us to, and entertain everyone."

According to the veteran batsman from Mumbai, the series against New Zealand will set the platform.

"We are playing a Test series after a long time in India and it is against the top two Test sides, England and Australia. The series against New Zealand, I feel, that is going to set a good platform and will be important. We are looking forward to it," said Tendulkar.

Source : New Delhi: 

Sachin Tendulkar reckons Rahul Dravid's retirement has left an huge void in the Indian cricket team and it would be impossible to find an able replacement for such an "incredible" player.

"Rahul has been an incredible player for India and for world cricket. Nobody is going to be able to replace Rahul in that position," Tendulkar said.

Dravid has amassed more runs at No 3 than anyone in the history of Test cricket, including the likes of Sir Donald Bradman and Ricky Ponting.

"You need someone to be dedicated, be committed and disciplined. The entire country will miss him because we were all used to Rahul padding up batting at number 3.

"So obliviously these things will continue to happen because that's how the game goes around for years. Before our generation, there were so many great players but the game continues," Tendulkar told a news channel.

Dravid has scored 13,288 runs in 164 Tests. Indian cricket today is a far cry from what it was around the time Tendulkar started out, and the last couple of years have been a mixed bag, with the team experiencing success and failures in equal measure.

Asked if there was any problem with the system, Tendulkar responded in negative.

"I don't think we can point our fingers at our structure because with that same structure we hit the number one spot. So if there was something wrong with the structure, we would have never reached that spot.

"I just feel, you know, that if you compare the Australian series and you felt they always managed to get one big partnership. We were able to pick up early wickets, then invariably there was one partnership which tilted the game in their favour and there were not many big partnerships in our side."

"There are two ways to look at it. The batsmen aren't scoring enough runs and on the other side the bowlers are allowing that one big partnership because one side was getting that advantage of one big partnership, the other side was not," Tendulkar said.

A hectic season awaits the Indian team, starting with New Zealand's tour to the country for a three-Test series in September followed by home series against England and Australia, and Tendulkar was well aware of it.

"Every season is important but this one I am sure everyone is looking for because it is England followed by Australia. It is going to be a competitive season.

"All I can say is we need all the backing, all the support to put up a good performance and produce that kind of cricket that everyone is expecting us to, and entertain everyone."

According to the veteran batsman from Mumbai, the series against New Zealand will set the platform.

"We are playing a Test series after a long time in India and it is against the top two Test sides, England and Australia. The series against New Zealand, I feel, that is going to set a good platform and will be important. We are looking forward to it," said Tendulkar.

Source : Ndtv.com visited on 15th July 2012.