Wankhede to host Sachin’s 200th

Wankhede to host Sachin’s 200th

MCA prez Ravi Savant says landmark Test will be held on maestro’s home turf

Sydney: The Australia media has said that none of the contemporaries of Indian maestro Sachin Tendulkar has commanded his god-like status, which coincided with India’s rise as a cricket superpower. According to the Sydney Morning Herald, Tendulkar combined brilliance with incredible longevity and outlasted fellow greats such as Brian Lara, Ricky Ponting and Rahul Dravid. The report further said that Tendulkar had inspired a new generation of players who wanted to be like him, adding that his record of 3630 runs at 55 against Australia is testament to his god-like status. Although Tendulkar’s super-stardom did not dull his run-making as he churned out phenomenal 51 Test centuries and was a master at countering spin. —Agencies MCA prez Ravi Savant says landmark Test will be held on maestro’s home turf Mumbai: It’s official: Sachin Tendulkar will play his 200th and final Test in his backyard — the Wankhede Stadium. On Friday, BCCI vice-president (West Zone) and Mumbai Cricket Association president Ravi Savant put an end on speculation by conveying the news to reporters. “Yesterday (Thursday), Tendulkar had expressed his desire to play his 200th match on home soil and the BCCI has acceded to his request and decided to hold the Test at the Wankhede Stadium from November 14 to 18,” Savant said. It may be recalled that the Cricket Club of India (Brabourne Stadium) was also in the race to host the landmark fixture. Savant refused to go into the details of how the MCA had its way. “I don’t want to go into the details. Suffice it to say that the match would be held at the Wankhede Stadium,” he added. Savant also refused to reveal the MCA’s plans for Tendulkar’s grand farewell. “We have enough time to prepare for the farewell game. We will definitely do it in a grand way, but it will also be planned after the elections,” he added. Savant was referring to the MCA polls to be held on October 18. It is learnt that the BCCI is also planning to give Tendulkar a grand send-off. The first Test (venue not announced yet) will be played from November 6 to 10. In addition to the two Tests, the West Indians will also play three ODIs (November 21, 24 and 27). The BCCI’s tours and fixtures committee, headed by Rajiv Shukla, will meet on Tuesday to finalise the venues.