Sachin Tendulkar yet to take a call on ODI future

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The last word has not been said yet on Sachin Tendulkar’s ODI future. Suggestions have poured in for the champion batsman to call it a day from the demanding world of ODIs. It is, however, reliably learnt that while the star is considering ODI retirement seriously, he has not come to a firm conclusion yet.

The inside track story is if Team India pick themselves up and play well enough to win the next two games in the tri-series, he will then announce his retirement straightaway. But if India fail to win and don’t secure a place in the finals, then the Little Master may be inclined to play the Asia Cup and bid good-bye to ODIs in Dhaka.

The selection committee headed by Kris Srikkanth is expected to communicate with Tendulkar only at the end of the tour of Australia. India find themselves in a tight corner in the tri-series and Tendulkar’s poor form (90 runs in five innings) has added to the team’s woes and one that has called for the veteran to hang up his boots.

Former captain and Tendulkar’s long standing opening partner, Sourav Ganguly had said that Tendulkar should not continue if he doesn’t see a future for himself in ODIs. The decision is solely with the selectors now but it will not be easy for them to tell Tendulkar to call quits on his 23-year-old ODI career.

The issue will become even more tricky for the selectors if Tendulkar decides to skip the Asia Cup. Sources indicated the 38-year-old was earlier contemplating on skipping the Asia Cup but now everything depends on how the team fares in the CB Series.

“If there is anyone who can talk to Sachin at this point, it can only be Srikkanth. He was his first captain and now he is heading the committee,” legend Sunil Gavaskar had said.

Tendulkar missed 20 ODIs after the World Cup win (scored 482 at 53.55) leading to speculations that he was not interested in playing the shorter version. Kapil Dev had suggested that Tendulkar should have retired after the World Cup. Given the cordial relationship Srikkanth and Tendulkar enjoy it is certain there will be a meaningful dialogue between the two.

A player of Tendulkar’s stature definitely needs to be apprised of the plans the selectors have and if Tendulkar does not see himself fitting in their plans, he is expected to act in the best interest of the team.