Sachin Tendulkar has described his double triumph of winning the Indian Premier League and Champions League Twenty20 with Mumbai Indians as a “special thing” after bowing out of the shortest format of the game.
Sachin Tendulkar
The 40-year-old batting legend played his final Twenty20 match, helping Mumbai Indians clinch a CLT20 final victory over Rajhastan Royals and admitted it was a fantastic way to end his career in this form of cricket.
“It’s wonderful to win the IPL and then the CLT20 in the same year is a special thing,” he said. “When the IPL season started, we wanted to win it so bad. The team has done beautifully since then and the end result has been fantastic.”
It completes the full set of objectives that Tendulkar challenged himself to achieve before he decides on a date for his retirement having also completed 50,000 runs in all forms of the game during the tournament.
He explained: “The dream was to be part of the No.1 Test team in the world, then win the World Cup, the IPL and the CLT20 - all of those dreams have been accomplished now.
“I didn’t actually know about that 50,000 runs landmark. I only realised it when the big screen flashed that I was two runs away from scoring 50,000 runs. That came as a surprise to me. It’s a wonderful feeling. I have enjoyed various challenges along the way. There have been ups and downs and it’s been a wonderful journey of which I have no complaints whatsoever.”
Tendulkar, who has already retired from one-day international and international Twenty20 cricket, is expected to play in the Test series against West Indies in November, but has now severed ties with Mumbai Indians after six years as their ambassador and “legend player.”
Mumbai Indians have not yet offered him a job on the coaching staff, but after helping them to the Twenty20 double this year, it would not be a great surprise if he were to turn up in their dug-out when the IPL starts again next year.
Asked about his future plans, Tendulkar replied: “As of now, I don’t know. We’ve just won this tournament and I want to enjoy this moment - there are still good six months and I am sure something will come along till then.
“I am actually looking forward to the next season because I have been part of Mumbai Indians for six years now and it has been an experience I have really enjoyed.”
The CLT20 final also marked what is expected to be the final competitive appearance for Rahul Dravid, the Rajhastan Royals captain, and Tendulkar paid tribute to his former team-mate and captain with India.
“The least I can say about Rahul is that he is a true champion,” added Tendulkar. “He has been terrific and a world-class player – one of the best I have played with and against. The first time I met him was when I captained him in the Wills Trophy.
“Since then it has been a privilege for not only me but the entire world to watch Rahul perform so brilliantly on a consistent basis. I just want to congratulate Rahul for a wonderful career that he’s had and I wish his family all the very best. I am sure there are many more wonderful things that will happen in his life.”
Related articles
- Sachin Tendulkar: Bowing out with CLT20 and IPL triumphs were “special” (cricketbadger.com)
- CLT20 Final Preview: Dravid vs Tendulkar, time to say goodbye. Rajasthan Royals vs Mumbai Indians. (cricketbadger.com)
Main photo credit: World Cricket Badger
James Buttler
As the editor of World Cricket Badger he is intent on building the website to give quality coverage of the domestic game around the world.
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