DHAKA: Sachin Tendulkar credits IPL for developing India’s bench strength

DHAKA: Batting great Sachin Tendulkar
on Friday credited the IPL for helping develop India’s bench strength, saying
the current lot has benefitted by constantly playing against world-class
performers in the lucrative league.

Suryakumar Yadav and Ishan Kishan, who play for Mumbai Indians in the IPL, have
produced stunning knocks against England in the ongoing T20 series and
Tendulkar attributed their success to the league.

“Yeah, both Surya and Ishan are ready to play, because you know, I have
always felt that IPL’s introduction has helped players,” Tendulkar, who is
captaining the India Legends in the ongoing Road Safety World Series, told PTI.

“Because earlier when we played, I hadn’t played against a Wasim (Akram),
when we played in Australia, I hadn’t played a (Sharne) Warne or (Craig)
McDermott or Merv Hughes. We went there and we had to figure out what has
happened.”

Tendulkar said the IPL has provided the players the opportunity to run shoulders
with the top stars and compete against the best.

“With the help of IPL, I mean, yesterday I was watching the game, and
Surya was batting and (Jofra) Archer bowled to him and Ben Stokes and the
commentator said that it is nothing new for Surya because he has already played
against Rajasthan Royals,” he said.

“Both Archer and Stokes play for Rajasthan Royals, so it is nothing
different and he (Surya) knows what they do and he has played against them
already. So, it wasn’t the first time.

“That’s the only reason I am saying that both these guys are ready to play
for India and that just shows the bench strength of our team, it is really
strong. So that’s the beauty of our cricket now, that there are a number of
players, who are ready to go out.”

Back in the field for the Road Safety World Series, Tendulkar said, “It’s
a special feeling to be back (in) the dressing room.

“Like I said that sport unifies everyone, no matter which part of the
country you come from, which caste, creed, nothing, your bank balance, sport
doesn’t recognise anything, it only recognises the way you play,” he said.

“It is a fairground for everyone and we have always believed that when we
are there in the dressing room, it is one team, we are together. We have always
taken pride in representing the nation, it is a huge honour.”
The Indian Legends have already made it to the summit clash, which will be
played on Sunday and according to Tendulkar, all the players are playing for a
specific cause.

“It is fun to be out there in the middle for a cause, and I would like to
applaud all six teams that include India and I am taking India’s name here
also. All the players have come here for a cause and they want to go out and
give their best and.

“Players are diving around and trying to stop the ball, trying to bowl
fast. So, we are here for a cause and it is a message that we are trying to
give to everyone, create that awareness on road safety, which is sometimes
taken for granted.”

Tendulkar stressed on wearing helmets while driving.
“The message is that we lose almost 1.35 million people globally every
year because of road accidents and out of which 1.5 lakh lives are lost in
India because of road accidents. It could be because of not wearing a helmet.

“When we talk about not wearing a helmet, not just for the rider but also
the pillion… The stats show that from the age of 18-35, that age group 50 per
cent of the lives are lost because of not wearing helmets and not taking
precautions.”

“The message we are trying to give everyone is when you are riding a
scooter/bike/two-wheeler wear a helmet, if there is a pillion travelling with
you make sure that the passenger also wears a helmet.
“If you are driving a car, wear a seatbelt, don’t jump signals, don’t
drive on the wrong side of the road.”