Sachin Paaji is irreplaceable: Dhoni
First Published : 24 Dec 2012, 21:55
Last Modified : 24 Dec 2012, 21:55
Sachin Paaji has announced his retirement from the ODI format.
It is disappointing that we will not get to see the 50th century in coloured clothing or the 100th half-century. He has gone with 49 tons and 96 fifties in ODI cricket.
He has been an inspiration for all of us. He has encouraged thousands and millions of kids to take up the sport. He has taught us a lot of things during his career.
As youngsters when we first came into the team, we saw how he prepared for a game. Every game was a big game for him.
Besides cricket, we learnt so much from him about life. He showed us how to be humble in life and how to digest success, which I feel is one of the most difficult things to do. Along the way he guided each and everyone of us.
I personally learnt a lot from him whenever I got a chance to bat with him in the ODI format. I learnt how to calculate and pace the innings. He taught me how to decide on which bowlers you should target. He taught me the art of breaking down the target in terms of the next four-five overs.
All this really helped me improve my game, and I now when I bat with different batsmen, I know what to do in certain situations.
His contribution is immense and we’ll definitely miss him. With his batting skill, his experience and the number of great suggestions that he came up with, he is irreplaceable.
The good thing is that he will still play in the Test matches and there’s still plenty for the youngsters to learn from him.
