'Exceptional phenomenon' Tendulkar was 'child prodigy who exceeded his potential'

Sydney, Nov 14 (ANI): The Australian media has branded Indian batting maestro Sachin Tendulkar as an 'exceptional phenomenon' and a 'child prodigy who exceeded his potential'. The overwhelming 19.7 million hits for Tendulkar's 200th and final five-day Test match, which crashed the website selling them, testified to his unmatched standing in India as both a sports and a cultural icon. According to the Sydney Morning Herald, Tendulkar was the youngest active Test cricketer - and the fourth-youngest ever - when he made his debut in 1989 at just 16 years and 205 days old and he leaves the game 24 years later as the oldest active international player. Among the many tributes pouring in for the Little Master, an US writer said that although Tiger Woods and David Beckham may cross more boundaries, nowhere do these players carry the weight of expectation that Tendulkar carries in India and among the Indian diaspora. The report mentioned that Tendulkar was the only active player named by Wisden Cricketers' Almanack to its all-time team last month in its 150 years of existence. Hailing Tendulkar, Australian spin-bowling legend Shane Warne, another member of the all-time team, said that Tendulkar was easily the best in all conditions against all types of bowling and has a wonderful temperament, while England legend Geoffrey Boycott said that the Indian star has been the complete batsman as he had no weaknesses. Former Australian cricketer Matthew Hayden described Tendulkar's batting as 'a stillness in a frantic world', while the Little Master's longtime teammate Rahul Dravid said that Tendulkar's love of the game stood out above all and he has always been able to maintain that balance Meanwhile, Sachin's former teammate Anil Kumble said that the Tendulkar has influenced every cricketer who has taken up the job in the last 24 years and has touched millions around the globe. (ANI)