The playing future of Sachin Tendulkar has come under severe
scrutiny after the batsman failed to impress in either of India’s first two
Tests with England this month.
Tendulkar’s career has been a subject of great debate on the
Michael Vaughan tips page ever since the iconic batsman scored his 100th
international century in March.
Many still claim Tendulkar has a right to be in the Test
side currently playing England, as his 54.60 average and +15,000 Test runs show
class is permanent.
However, at 39, others want the cricket legend to step down
before he harms his reputation, with the third Test in Kolkata his last chance
to prove himself to selectors.
For, despite Tendulkar’s dominance in the game over the past
two decades, it appears age has finally caught up with him, a factor that
former teammate Sourav Ganguly this week claimed may bring his career to an end
after the series with England:
“[Tendulkar’s] reflexes have gone down. But that is bound to happen with
age,” Ganguly told FirstPost.com. “But
what I feel is that Tendulkar is out of form and needs runs. I want to
earnestly believe that he will get runs in the two remaining Tests”.
Indeed, the majority browsing the Betfair India v England cricket odds will be hoping Tendulkar ups his game in the remaining two Tests,
not only for the player’s sake but for India’s status as a major force in Test
cricket.
Tendulkar is currently guilty of underperforming in the
Indian whites, with three innings against England yielding just 29 runs. The
right-hander looks vulnerable against spin and has notched just one half
century in 12 Test innings this year.