Mumbai, Nov 23: Former Australia leg-spinner Shane Warne who is in the city to commentate on the second Test between India and England lauded Sachin Tendulkar Virender Sehwag while addressing the media on the eve of the Test match.
While speaking about the Indian opener who has the course of matches with his prolific run-scoring over the years he said, “To play 100 Test matches you have to have a lot of things going for you outside then just magical talent, being a very good player, you have to have commitment dedication, [make] sacrifices, and be prepared to play for long periods of time. So to see Viru play his 100th Test is fantastic. He is a good guy. He is the most dangerous batsman in the world. No one likes bowling to him. I am happy for him. I know a lot of people doubted him when he first came into the side. He has been through a slump but it is great to see him back and smashing the [opposition bowling] attack. He is great to watch and I wish him the best.”
Backing Australia’s decision to confer Sachin Tendulkar with the membership of ‘Order of Australia’, Warne who has been at the receiving end of Tendulkar’s heroics with the bat said, “I think Sachin should have the honour of every country,"
"Whatever country wants to give Sachin stuff, they should give it to him because he deserves it. I was proud of Australia to recognise that and give Sachin that honour. It was fantastic to see. Hopefully, mine is next," he added.
Speaking about the much discussed issue of Tendulkar’s retirement, Warne said, "Sachin should go on as long as he wants. He should play as long as continues to score runs, which he seems to do. He can pay as long as he wants and I hope he plays 5000 (test matches) because I am not bowling anymore," he stated.
While on the subject of his arch rival on the field and a friend off it, Warne mentioned that the “nightmare" comment which he made 14 years ago was in a lighter vein. He said, "My saying I have nightmares about Sachin, that was a joke. I think of other things in my dreams."
Warne who has played in the Indian Premier League as the captain and coach of Rajasthan Royals said, “There are some young and talented players [around in India]. You have Yusuf Pathan and [Ajinkya] Rahane and [Ravindra] Jadeja. We had a lot of good young players [in RR and], to try and mould them as captain and coach was thoroughly enjoyable.”
“The IPL has helped to give India some depth in cricket and there is Pathan and Jadeja some of the good players around. India is in pretty good shape. There are quick bowlers around [like] [Umesh] Yadav [who has] bowled well, has pace and he can be a handful. He is a good bowler.”
Speaking about the youngsters in India that who are slated to take Indian cricket forward Warne said, “Pujara is fantastic. Virat Kohli, has turned himself [around]. I remember when we played against him in Bangalore in the first year in IPL we bowled at him short and the whole series everyone did that [because] he couldn’t play the short ball. The key is, in the last 12-18 months he has become one of the top players in the world [with] the way he goes about it. He is confident, he is stylish, he is good to watch and he is aggressive. He has turned into a serious player”
He further added, “You have got Rahane. He is a good player he can bat anywhere in the top order when you need somebody to come in, he is ready to go. It is nice to see Yuvraj [Singh] back [in the team].”
Speaking about the young Indian spin duo of, off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin and left-arm spinner Pragyan Ojha he said, “I think Ashwin's flight, his variations, his consistency, his accuracy is very good. Ojha gets a good turn on the ball. I thought he was pacing ball slow and traditional left arm spin was nice to see.”
“I always thought the best combination was to get one bowler bowling off spin and the other bowling leg spin. One turning [the ball] into the batsman and one turning away. You can get Yuvraj to bowl a bit and someone else to bowl a bit. If you can get two spinners to turn the ball in opposite directions that’s always helpful,” he explained while talking about utilising spin bowling in a match.
On the Indian captain Warne said, “I think MS [Dhoni] is a very good captain. He is an aggressive captain most of the time. When he lost in England and Australia he got a defensive.”
“I think it suits Dhoni when he attacks with spinners and is aggressive and tries to take wickets rather than try bowl the opposition. The times I have seen him aggressive is most of the times in India.”
“If he continues with aggression, that will hold him in good stead,” Warne said.
