"If I ever wanted my son to be like anyone, it's Sachin Tendulkar."

PANCHKULA, March 14: "Going, going, gone" No Indian cricket follower can ever forget TV commentator Tony Greig's excitement on seeing a Sachin Tendulkar straight hit, off Michael Kasprowicz, vanish into the stands in Sharjah in 1998. Even ten years down the line, there was a similar excitement in Greig's voice when he talked about Tendulkar. "To me, Sachin is the greatest cricketer ever," said Greig, making it clear in one simple sentence what he feels about the Little Master.

The former England captain, who has been associated with the game for over 40 years in different capacities, was quick to justify his choice.

"If you only talk about cricketing abilities, Sir Gary Sobers is No 1. But it's not just about how you play, but the way you carry yourself on and off the field. And in that regard, Sachin is head and shoulders above other cricketing greats," Greig told the TOI.

Greig recalled something that Sir Don Bradman once told to him about Sachin's batting. " 'This boy has the natural ability to pick length It's the hallmark of a genius'. Sir Don's words still ring in my ears," said the burly Englishman a touch emotionally.

He didn't want to rank Tendulkar's centuries, because each one is "priceless in its own way. But it's for sure that you'll have to prize me out of the commentary box when he is batting," Greig added. He agreed that Tendulkar isn't the same batsman that he was five years back. "But it doesn't matter. The way he changed himself according to the demands of his team only underlines his greatness. Not many can do that," said Greig.

According to Greig, what actually sets Sachin apart from the other greats is the way the Mumbai maestro carries himself off the field. "Being the God of India for so long, it surprises me no end to see the way he has handled fame. He is still the same down-to-earth man he was 15 years back," Greig said, adding: "If I ever wanted my son to be like anyone, it's Sachin Tendulkar."

He also credited the champion batsman for the way he took the fight to the Australians in the recent series.

"All credit to Sachin, Harbhajan Singh, Kumble and Dhoni for the way they took the fight to the Aussies," said Greig.
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Source: http://cricket.indiatimes.com/Tendulkar_is_the_greatest_cricketer_ever_says_Greig/articleshow/2867212.cms