Sachin is a bigger player than I am: Ganguly by CricketArchive Staff Reporter

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Player:

SR Tendulkar, SC Ganguly

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DateLine: 15th August 2009

 

Former India skipper Sourav Ganguly said Sachin Tendulkar is the best cricketer in the world and the master blaster can continue as long as he wants.

 

Age might be catching up with the Mumbai veteran but Ganguly feels otherwise.

 

Ganguly went on to the extent of saying that his 36-year-old former opening partner is a better batsman than him and can pick the time to call it quits.

 

"To be honest, he is a bigger player than I am. He deserves to go whenever he wants to. He is probably the best in the world with (the retired) Brian Lara. He can play until anytime he wants and I am sure his performance will remain consistent," Ganguly told PTI in an interview on Friday.

 

"We have enjoyed a lot together at the top of the order and contributed thousands of runs. But I have taken a decision to quit. So, there is nothing to regret. I am sure he would also take the decision (to call it quits) at some stage," the 37-year-old player said.

 

Tendulkar had recently said that he is aiming to accumulate 15,000 Test runs and also play in the 2011 World Cup.

 

Ganguly said fitness permitting, the seasoned right-hander will accomplish the twin aims.

 

"Why not? If he is fit and looks after his body, he will keep getting runs. He just needs to look after his fitness and he will remain to be an asset to the team," he said.

 

The Southpaw said players like Tendulkar, Anil Kumble and Rahul Dravid had been performing consistently over a period of time.

 

"As long as he (Tendulkar) is fit, nobody can stop him performing. Players like him, Dravid and Kumble just can't stop performing at any stage of their career," he said.

 

"They have come here because they have performed consistently over a period of 12, 13, 15 and 20 years. That's why they are great players and would continue to perform," he added.