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India will need Sachin for next 2-3 years: Srikkanth
Nishant Arora | CNN-IBN
Posted on Oct 17, 2008 at 18:07 | Updated Oct 18, 2008 at 19:43
Mohali: Sachin Tendulkar made his debut when he was just 16 in 1989 against Pakistan. His captain then is now the Chairman of the national selection committee -- Krish Srikkanth spoke to Nishant Arora on his memories of the master.
Krish Srikkanth: I think I am very lucky because God made me his first captain when he made his debut. It is an awesome feeling now when you see that same Sachin Tendulkar scoring highest number of runs in Test cricket. And you are the Chairman of selectors, and I can't tell you it is such a proud feeling. I can't really explain the feeling I can only experience it.
He has played for 19 long years and he has still got that passion which is what amazes me. He is mentally and physically tired and still when he goes out to play he plays like the same way as when he made his debut in 1989 - running around, talking to people, doing something and one great quality in him is the fact that he has always been a team man.
CNN-IBN: How is the dressing room feeling about it? How are the teammates reacting to it?
Krish Srikkanth: It is an awesome feeling, as I said. But the most important point is he has got One-Day record, he has got Test record, he has got all the records in the world -- number of centuries, number of fifties. And don't forget that he is going to continue playing and I have always believed that he should continue playing for at least minimum of 2-3 years because we are going through a transition phase and this is the time when you need guys like Sachin Tendulkar to guide all the youngsters.
CNN-IBN: Tell us something about your first impression about him like facing Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis, Imran Khan etc -- all the legends of the game? It was a great Pakistani bowling attack.
Krish Srikkanth: He never showed any signs of nervousness, even if he was feeling nervousness inside but he never showed it outside, which is a great sign. When you are playing bowlers of such reputation and you don't show a sign of nervousness - in fact, he played pretty well, he played very confidently and that is what it is more important.
CNN-IBN: Could you make out that this guy would go down in the history as one of the greatest batsmen?
Krish Srikkanth: In fact, I told him straight away that day that -- 'My dear friend, one day you are going to make it big but don't ever forget that I am your first captain. And by the way, I keep reminding him about it even today.
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