In defense of Sachin Tendulkar

"Sachin Tendulkar is selfish and is playing for his average. Why? Because he chose not to farm the strike and instead, exposed numbers 10 and 11 to face the music."

This seems to be the overwhelming consensus on message boards/comments sections of the various blogs/site I perused this morning.

I beg to differ.

India was ahead of the Australian score when RP Singh strode out to join Tendulkar.And the need of the hour was runs, not time.

Farming the strike makes sense when the team is behind the 8 ball and it is imperative that the more recognized batsman shield the lesser batsman and, in the process, prolong the innings. But when you are ahead and the opposition captain decides to spread the field for the more recognized batsman while over- attacking the lesser batsman, there is every possibility that the lesser batsman will get more opportunities to score. And score quickly.

Which is exactly what happened.

It is also a matter of trust. I can bet my bottom dollar that if Sachin saw anything awkward in the way RP Singh and Ishant Sharma approached their batting, he would have shielded them for the simple reason that it is the easiest way to both prolong the innings and keep the score card ticking. But with RP and Ishant both capable of taking care of themselves, what was the need for Sachin to protect them?

And trust works both ways.. When a batsman of Sachin's calibre places that kind of faith in your batting ability, there is an instinctive desire to repay that faith.. Happens at the work place, happens in relationships, happens on the cricket field.

And finally, in terms of mind games, think of the message it sends the opposition - I don't rate your bowlers highly enough to shield my tail enders.