MUMBAI – Sachin Tendulkar goes into Saturday’s World Cup final against Sri Lanka with a billion Indians hoping he wins the elusive title with his 100th international century. Tendulkar will enter his home turf at the Wankhede stadium in Mumbai determined to add the only silverware missing from the collection of the most celebrated cricketer of the modern era.
The Indian star, who turns 38 this month, holds almost all coveted batting records, but not even his individual brilliance could win the ultimate prize in a team sport like cricket. Playing in his sixth and possibly last World Cup, a record he shares with Pakistan great Javed Miandad, Tendulkar has led from the front to lift India into the final.
His 464 runs in the tournament are just three behind Sri Lankan Tillakaratne Dilshan’s 467, and he goes into the title clash one ton away from recording an unprecedented 100 international centuries. Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni said Tendulkar was not under any extra pressure to deliver. “The entire country has expected a lot from him for the past 22 years and it will not be any different this time,” Dhoni said.
“He does not have to prove anything to anyone. There is no point thinking of milestones. He has prepared as well as he does for every match. I am sure he will sleep well tonight and come out fresh tomorrow. “He is just an amazing person and cricketer. His love and passion for the game is fantastic. His attitude towards cricket has not changed for the last 22 years.” Sri Lankan captain Kumar Sangakkara hoped his team can deny Tendulkar a 100th ton on Saturday.
“We’re not here to spoil anything,” he said. “Everyone understands the importance of scoring runs in a final, whether it is Sachin or anyone else. “It’s the first time a player could get to 100 hundreds. All of that adds to the expectations for a World Cup final. Our job is to ensure that the India team doesn’t score too many runs.”
Tendulkar’s lucky 85 in Wednesday’s semi-final against Pakistan, when he was dropped four times and survived close leg-before and stumping decisions, suggests he was destined to play the final. “It will be a fantasic occasion,” Tendulkar said of the match in his home city. “We will focus on the job in hand and try to get the job done.”
Both India and Sri Lanka were battling injuries to key players. Sri Lanka appear to be the worst hit with star bowler Muttiah Muralitharan struggling to recover from hamstring and knee injuries while all-rounder Angelo Mathews was ruled out on Friday with a side strain. Off-spinner Suraj Randiv, who flew to Mumbai as cover along with veteran seamer Chaminda Vaas, has replaced Mathews in the squad.
Muralitharan, the world’s leading Test and one-day bowler who turns 39 later this month, will leave international cricket after the final.
