There is an air of expectancy that the 38-year-old would reach his latest, and perhaps greatest, milestone at Lord’s, even if it is against the hosts. In the five innings he has played at the venue, Tendulkar’s highest score has been 37, scored on debut as a teenager in 1990.
Two of Tendulkar’s greatest batting contemporaries, Brian Lara and Ricky Ponting, too don’t have a century at what is considered the Mecca of cricket.
While Lara is retired, Ponting will have a chance to fulfil the desire if he is still around when England host Australia in the 2012 Ashes. But this could be the last chance for Tendulkar.
Yes, the same opinions were voiced when he was here last time, but the Mumbaikar is back fitter than ever and dangerous as ever. Despite his longevity standards, 21 years and counting, it’s a bit difficult to imagine that he would be here when India tour this country next time.
“I’m sure Sachin would love to score a hundred here and it’s our job to make sure that doesn’t happen,” said England skipper Andrew Strauss, before showering praise on the Indian legend. “He’s been a fantastic ambassador for the game. You look at his statistics, they speak for themselves. You don’t have to rush out with platitudes or superlatives because it’s all there. The longevity, consistency shows he’s one of the greatest ever. As man and ambassador, there’s no one better. As role models go, he is the best,” he remarked. Indian skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni said it was an honour to share the dressing room with Tendulkar.
“1999 was the first season when I played under-19 state cricket,” Dhoni started. “If somebody had told me at that time that I would be playing with Sachin, I’d have told them it’s a lie and it really won’t happen. I never thought I’d play for India, I never thought I’d share the dressing room with Sachin Tendulkar or some of the other legends -- Anil Kumble, Sourav Ganguly, Rahul Dravid, VVS Laxman.”
Dhoni then gave a small peek into Tendulkar’s routine. “He loves the game, he has a passion for the game. Every time he turns up on the field, he wants to improve his game. He may spend one and a half hours on the field, but in that time, he makes sure he is learning something, and when he goes back to the dressing room, he can proudly say ‘Today’s time I utilised to the best’.
“He tries to keep it very simple, doesn’t complicate things. He’s an ideal cricketer to look up to, the way he has conducted himself on and off the field, irrespective of the fact that when he made his debut, within one year he became a superstar and he has remained the same for the last 21 years.”