Sachin Tendulkar's style of batting got a vote ofconfidence from West Indies cricketing great Vivian Richards who said the Indianace was batting quite maturely, expected of players of his age.
Tendulkar, who played attacking cricket over the years,has come in for criticism in recent times for a change in batting style whichappeared to be defensive.
But Richards said having served Indian cricket foryears, Tendulkar had already proved himself to be a legend and it would be verydifficult for any other Indian player to match his on-field achievements.
"I read an article just before the Pakistan serieswhere people asked questions about Sachin Tendulkar. I felt that if he leavescricket right now, he will still remain a legend," Richards said.
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"He is now more into a fortifying role and notflamboyant. But you must respect that he has grown older. He can't always fulfilthe things that are expected of him." Richards, who is in the Capital totake part in a charity golf tournament to be played in Gurgaon, said the Indianbatsman had carried the responsibility of the team for a long period withsuccess.
"He carried India's mantle for a long period. Hehas done his job and has done it well. He may be looking to play the way hestarted his career, but that is not always possible.
"When you are 21, you are the best, with a perfectsight and good hand-eye co-ordination. At 26, you get a lot of wiser. Tendulkaris now a very matured player."
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Richards also praised Virender Sehwag's batting prowess but declined to draw acomparison between the Indian opener and Australian legend Sir Donald Bradman.
"I would like Sehwag to be a little moreconsistent. I like his style, the way he plays. He does not care about thebowler and I like that. But he needs to concentrate a little more. I am sure hewill do that as he grows older."
On the comparison between Sehwag and Sir Don, he said"Judging from what I have seen of the Don, there is no comparison atall."
He also disagreed that explosive players like Sehwagand Shahid Afridi of Pakistan were copying his batting style.
"I don't think they are aping me. Viv Richards isViv Richards. I won't compare myself with anyone else.
"When I was playing I took inspiration fromothers, but never aped anyone. Each player has his own style."
Richards also had a piece of advice for the beleagueredSaurav Ganguly, saying the Indian captain needed to believe in himself to comeout of the rut.
"He needs that character, strength. He is in sucha rut. But he must keep his head above the water and believe in himself.
Richards did not give much weight to India's poor form in the one-dayers, sayingsuch things are part and parcel of the game.
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He praised players like Irfan Pathan and Zaheer Khanand said the duo have it in them to serve the country for a long time.
"When you have left-armers, they can work thingsin your favour. I always found it a bit funny to face left-arm bowlers from theangle from which they deliver the ball.
"Both Pathan and Zaheer gave Australia a whole lotof trouble. If you keep them fit and maintain them, they can do a lot of good toyour cause."
Turning to West Indies cricket, Richards saidShivnarine Chanderpaul was doing a good job as a captain, but declined toacknowledge that the return of some players including Brian Lara into the foldfor the ongoing Test series against South Africa, following a dispute over asponsorship deal, has done any good to the side.
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"Chanderpaul did well in Guyana in the first Test.That's a huge bonus for West Indies cricket. But when they went to the secondTest with several stars, they lost by a big margin.
"We would have loved to see Lara a little moresuccessful as a captain. The saddest part is that when he scored runs, it didnot reflect in the performance of the team."
PTI
