Sachin vs Murali - a farewell battle to cherish
By lovedude
@lovedude (4447)
India
March 31, 2011 4:27am CST
Legends Sachin Tendulkar and Muttiah Muralitharan face-off in a mouth-watering duel for the last time when India and Sri Lanka clash in the World Cup final on Saturday.
The contest between the world's leading batsman and highest wicket-taker in their final appearance in cricket's showpiece event will add spice to the big game at the Wankhede stadium.
Muralitharan, who turns 39 next month, will leave international cricket after the World Cup with more Test (800) and one-day (534 so far) wickets than any bowler in history.
Tendulkar's batting skills have not diminished even as he celebrates his 38th birthday next month, but he is unlikely to make a record seventh World Cup appearance in 2015.
A World Cup title has eluded the Indian star despite being the sport's most successful batsman with a record 32,785 runs and 99 centuries in Test and one-day cricket.
Muralitharan tasted World Cup glory in his maiden appearance in 1996 when Arjuna Ranatunga's men stunned Australia in the final in the Pakistani city of Lahore.
The ageing superstars have led from the front in this tournament to carry their teams into the final.
Tendulkar's 464 runs in eight matches are just three behind Sri Lankan Tillakaratne Dilshan's record tally of 467, while the wily Muralitharan has claimed 15 wickets despite battling injuries.
Muralitharan has soldiered on bravely over the past six weeks despite being afflicted by hamstring and groin injuries, a side strain and a troublesome knee.
An appreciative Sri Lankan captain Kumar Sangakkara said winning the World Cup for Muralitharan has motivated his team.
"Murali is a legend to bowl virtually on one leg and still get wickets," the captain said.
"He is the icon of Sri Lanka, on and off the field, a fantastic human being and a great team man."
The off-spinner is the only player from either side to enjoy a World Cup triumph.
Tendulkar was 10 years old when India won the tournament under Kapil Dev in 1983, while five of his current teammates - Ravichandran Ashwin, Virat Kohli, Suresh Raina, Piyush Chawla and Munaf Patel - were not even born.
India's South African coach Gary Kirsten, who played against Tendulkar in the 1990, regards the batting star as his hero and the "backbone" of the team.
"It has been an absolute honour and previlege to share the same dressing room as Sachin," said Kirsten, who will step down as coach after the final to spend more time with his family.
"There is nothing to teach Sachin. In fact, I have learnt a lot myself just watching him prepare for a game. He is my hero."
Win or lose, fans will relish the sight of the two old warriors battling under the hot sun. They do not make cricketers like them any more.
6 responses
@Maulik58 (71)
• India
31 Mar 11
Sri lanka, a team missing powerfull batting order, is still looking balanced and competetive all because of bolwer like murli who has a capacity to change the game and who can be a match winner. But at the same time Indian team with power full batting line has a master blaster sachin tendulkar performing best to claim world cup 2011. It will be great ckicket on 02 april..
@Hafeez_sameel (107)
• India
2 Apr 11
true my dear friend, India and srilanka will loose two great players after this world cup, it is almost certain both players won't see the next world cup, so both team will surely want to give some good farwell to these legends.
@krajibg (11923)
• Guwahati, India
31 Mar 11
Hi lovedude,
Nicely put up. Though Muralidharan's calling it a day is almost sure after this final we have not heard anything convincing about Sachin Tendulkar that he too would say farewell to cricket.
I would be happy if he had announced his retirement after this clash if he had scored that CENTURY to make it 100 century both in the Test and the ODI. More specially I would love to see him reaching 100 century in the ODI too.
All must say good bye one day. So Sachin to would say. And I wish he says it after a glorious innings.
@wastebox456 (14)
• India
31 Mar 11
its gonna be a great match this and for once I think that india has a real chance of winning the world cup.there is no dought that both the teams will give it their best but I think its going to be india all the way cause both sehwag and sachin are batting great and our middle order is also quiet capable.only if we can keep our bowling as tight as in the match with pakistan then we have a real good chance of winning. as for sachin vs murli its sachin all the way for me .
@rajeev075 (1961)
• India
31 Mar 11
Well Tendulkar need no introduction and any honor to him is less. Sachin is God of Cricket. He is a class,a master piece of cricket world. Inspite of good suceess he had with him the Team INDIA have not won the world cup any time but this time his dream will Not be vanishes by any one. Tendulkar will lead us and got the victory and fulfil his dream this time and it will be in his own home town.
About murali he is class bowler who bowls well and has great record in both test as well as one dayers. His power of turning the ball is unique and he is already in form and will do good.
The two legend is playing his last world cup and they had already perform to their best.
Good luck!
@ranbanda (60)
•
31 Mar 11
I think you guys are more concentrating on Murali, of cause the icon of Sri Lankan cricket. But I believe Indian batsmans will have troubles with facing Lasith Malinga. And I agree with Sri Lanka's lack of batsmans like Your Indian team has, Sachin and Shewag can destroy any team. But I don't think Indians have the powerful wicket taking bowlers like Sri Lanka has, lead by murali.
So I think the battle is between Indian batsmans against Sri Lankan bowlers. Let the best team win.
