October 15 Tuesday 2002
'Tendulkar lacks Bradman's concentration'

MUMBAI: Sachin Tendulkar may be regarded as the new Donald Bradman by some of his fans, but one person who still rates Sir Don as the best ever is former Indian all-rounder Chandu Sarwate, who says the legendary Australian boasted superior powers of concentration.

Sarwate, who played against Sir Donald when India toured Australia in 1947-48, told the Mumbai newspaper ÔMid Day' that while Tendulkar is a great player, he lacks Bradman's ability to concentrate for prolonged periods. 

"There is a similarity between the two players," said the octogenarian, who added. "But Don had greater power of concentration. "He has scored 300 runs in one-day, a hundred in the morning session, 100 in between lunch and tea and another 100 before the close of play. 

"That was something amazing. He had an uncanny ability to score even against the best of bowling attacks. "I don't think Tendulkar has enough powers of concentration like Don. He gets to a hundred but it appears to me that he loses his concentration after that," said the veteran Sarwate. 

Sarwate's side lost 4-0 to Australia in that post-war series, but despite the drubbing he had fond memories of watching Sir Don at bat. 

"He scored two double centuries and three centuries against us. He was a wonderful athlete. "He had a good eye, excellent footwork and an excellent control over his shots. He always played the ball in the gap," Sarwate enthused.