Sparkling Sachin

Master Indian batsman Sachin Tendulkar sweeps fine on way to scoring an unbeaten 82, his highest score against Bangladesh, at the Sinhalese Sports Club ground yesterday. PHOTO: AFP

It was a satisfying day for Sachin fans after the Indian superstar displayed a rare all-round show aga-inst Bangladesh.

The little genius might have failed to score a hundred, a feat he was yet to achieve against the Tigers, but his unbeaten 82 after an impressive bowling figures of 3-35 was good enough for India to post an easy eight-wicket win at the Sinhalese Sports Club ground yesterday.

His performance also gave the reports an opportunity to have a few words with arguably the best batsman in the world.

"We enjoyed supremacy in all departments," the man-of-the-match said after India won the game with more than ten overs to spare.

Tendulkar was particularly happy with is bowling effort but admitted that it was a specialists job.

"I get blisters in my fingers and it peels off. Then it's difficult to grip the ball. That's why Kumble can bowl 40 overs, but I can not," said Tendulkar, whose mixed gem of spinners can be deceiving on a difficult wicket.

Tendulkar however felt that conceding extras have been India's problem in all three Asia Cup matches so far.

"We will have to focus on no-balls and wides in the rest of the tournament."

He also said that it was not an easy track to bat on.

"We kept looking for runs. But the Bangladeshi bowlers bowled in good line. The ball was not coming on to the bat. It was stopping occasionally and turning as well. The best way to bat here was to get to the ball as early as possible. In the first two matches I did not get runs or spend a long time at the wicket. I thought this was a perfect platform to bat and finish the game. This practice was needed."

When asked to make comments on young left-arm paceman Irfan Pathan, Sachin called him an exciting prospect for India.

"He is a very talented bowler. A God's gift I feel. The swing that he has, not so many left-armers could do that consistently like him. And it's something he should value and I am sure he knows what it is all about. I think we should not put pressure on him by telling him that you are the strike bowler and you do this and that. He is 20, 21. He will get better and we should stand behind him and support him when it's needed. If he is doing well he will maintain that way but when he does not, that is when the support is required. It's our responsibility."