India media hails God Tendulkar

India media hails God Tendulkar

NEW DELHI: Indian media lined up on Thursday to shower the "God" Sachin Tendulkar with front-page tributes and predict the record-shattering batsman was not finished yet.

Tendulkar, who turns 37 in April, smashed the first-ever double century in One-Day International on Wednesday, pounding the South African bowlers with 25 boundaries and three sixes.

It was the latest achievement by the world's most prolific batsman, who has scored more runs and centuries than anyone in both Test and One-day cricket.

Tendulkar's landmark dominated the front pages of leading newspapers, even overshadowing the India-Pakistan diplomatic talks scheduled for Thursday.

"Immortal at 200", screamed a banner headline in the Times of India, while the Indian Express ran a half-page photo of a celebrating Tendulkar with the word "God!"

A similar front-page photo in the Hindustan Times, headlined "200 not out", was followed by an appreciation by Tendulkar's former team-mate and bowling great Anil Kumble.

"The way he celebrated when he reached his 200 epitomised the man's persona," Kumble, an ex-India captain, wrote.

"There were no running laps around the field, no aggressive gestures, nothing over-the-top.

"He did what he always does. Raised both his arms, closed his eyes for a moment and quietly acknowledged it had been done.

"If the youngsters in the team can take even 10 percent of what he does, they will be better cricketers for it.

The Times of India highlighted the veteran's scintillating form in the last 12 months, during which he has hit 10 international centuries, including six in Test cricket.

"Treasure this new, improved Tendulkar," the paper said. "He is, by far, still India's most valuable player, and will remain so till he decides to call it quits."

Tendulkar, who made his debut in 1989, has scored 13,447 runs with 47 hundreds in 166 Tests, and 17,598 runs with 46 centuries in 442 One-day matches.

Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar rated Tendulkar over legendary Australian Don Bradman, saying the Mumbai man was the "greatest batsman the game has ever seen."

Newspapers highlighted Australian spin legend Shane Warne's tweets as he followed the knock of one of his close friends.

"Nervous for my good friend Sachin," Warne posted as Tendulkar neared his double century.

"Come on Sachin, my friend, get your 200. World record to please! you deserve it."

Once achieved, Warne said: "Yes, yes, yes! Well done Sachin my friend. Congrats and well done! Awesome."

The Hindustan Times' cricket correspondent wrote: "It's never a good idea to try and speak for a whole nation. But on Wednesday it was a risk worth taking.

"To Sachin Tendulkar, on whom more words have been written than any other cricketer, including Sir Donald Bradman, two words will suffice: Thank you."