Quick Comment: Sachin Tendulkar

Sachin Tendulkar has been the best batsman in the world. No questions asked. What made him the best was his ability to make the toughest and most dangerous of pitches seem placid while all around him struggled to come to terms with the pitch. The most fearful bowlers seemed like ordinary net bowlers. He was feared.

He still retains that capability . To play that brilliant knock when all others struggle. But what has displaced him from his position of the best in the world (apart from a raging Ponting ofcourse) is a new ability that seems to have crept into his game. He has also started to make placid pitches look like minefields. Some ordinary bowlers are given respect that they wouldnt get a few years back.

And there I think is where Sachin has become less of a threat. But to take him lightly - thats a fool's job to do. For even a Tendulkar at powers lower than his peak is more than a handful for any team in the world.