Opening slot in Test cricket is all about the mindset, says Sachin Tendulkar
Sachin Tendulkar has opined about the opening slot in Test cricket saying it requires a different kind of philosophy and it is all about the mindset of the payer. On Wednesday, Rohit Sharma became the fourth Indian batsman to score a century in his maiden innings as an opener in Test cricket.
As Rohit Sharma showed signs of fitting into Indian team management's 'Virender Sehwag Model' with a hundred in his first Test as an opener, the legendary Sachin Tendulkar insisted that the role of an opener in Test cricket requires a different philosophy and mindset. According to Tendulkar, as an opener in Test cricket, the ability to translate talent and intent into consistent performance is paramount.
"It's all about the mindset. If somebody wants to open the innings, then he needs to have a different kind of mindset," Tendulkar told PTI in an exclusive interview.
Talking about Sehwag, Tendulkar recalled that along with the mindset, it is also about ability, which Sehwag comprised in abundance.
"Sehwag had that different mindset. Be it an ODI or Test, he would more or less play in the same manner. That aggressive nature was always there. Again, it boils down to the capability and the potential of that particular player," said Tendulkar.
He added that there a number of players who want to be aggressive but what makes Sehwag stand-out from the rest and made him suit the opening slot is his consistency. It is still early days for Rohit Sharma.
Talking about philosophy, Tendulkar explained that along with extraordinary success, Sehwag also encountered rough patches but never changed his aggressive style, “so it's not the numbers that always really matter but what you bring to the table does."
Among the new set of youngsters, Tendulkar is particularly impressed with 25-year-old Hanuma Vihari's temperament during the past few series.
"Vihari has been smart in selecting the right shots to play at the right time. I have been impressed by his calmness, temperament as well as ability to absorb pressure. In Test cricket, various aspects are going to be tested and if you are sure of those things, your body language is different, which I saw in him," said Tendulkar.
The technical aspect that impressed Tendulkar was Vihari was ready to leave deliveries, a quality that's also there in Australia's find of Ashes Marnus Labuschagne, who the little maestro felt “was leaving the ball better than anyone else.”
Tendulkar loves the concept of World Test Championship but feels it will only have context if the tracks are balanced for all and "sporting" in nature.
"It can only happen if you play on sporting tracks and when I mean sporting tracks, it's a balanced one. If there isn't a bit of something for everyone, then there is no point as the game itself gets affected," he said giving the example of Ashes. Tendulkar believes the Ashes had it all this year, quality batting, fast bowling as well as spinners and players leaving the ball.
As far as points system is concerned (120 for series clean sweep), Tendulkar finds it as a good move to keep the fans engaged till the last match of the series.
"In the last 4 and 5 months, when teams are fighting for the top two slots, the points system will certainly add dimension and I won't be surprised if Test enthusiasts will be engrossed in calculating points," said Tendulkar.
0
0
0
0
0
0
Comments
Sign up or log in to your account to leave comments and reactions
0 Comments