Bishan Singh Bedi: Sachin Tendulkar must play his 200th Test in Mumbai

Will the 200th Test be Sachin’s final international appearance?

Legendary Indian spinner Bishan Singh Bedi believes that Sachin Tendulkar has earned his right to play his 200th Test in Mumbai.

While the Board of Control for Cricket in India(BCCI) has confirmed a bilateral series against West Indies, that involves two Tests and three ODIs between October 31 to November 27, the venues have not been finalised yet.

It is believed that BCCI will schedule it in such a way that Tendulkar, who is on 198 Tests now, will get a chance to play his 200th Test in his hometown, Mumbai.

There have been rumours around that the Bengal Cricket Board has stated its interest in staging the Master Blaster’s 200th Test, which is widely believed to be his last.

Bedi, who was invited for the launch of a book titled ‘India’s Glorious Cricketing Heritage’, said: “The 200th Test match he will play is a great achievement. I hope that the 200th Test match is played in Mumbai. This is his home ground. In all fairness, I think he should get that opportunity to play that 200th Test match on his home ground.”

The former Indian captain who is of the opinion that a batsman of Sachin’s class cannot be told when to retire, reiterated his belief once again that none, other than Sachin himself, can take a call on hanging his boots.

He said: “If anyone can talk about Sachin Tendulkar’s retirement or his final phase, it will only be Sachin himself.”

Former India coach Anshuman Gaekwad, who also happened to be at the book launch, reflected the same thoughts.

He said: “Any player playing his 200th Test match would feel that it should happen in his home town, in his home ground. But you don’t play cricket like this.

“If it happens over here then we would go and see it but if it is South Africa then we would think about it. But it is not compulsory that it should happen here.”

Gaekwad added: “It is okay that you have an option and are being given a choice but otherwise, it can happen anywhere. Sachin Tendulkar himself doesn’t have a problem, but we have a problem. Let him say where he should play. We are discussing where he should play, but I feel we should not debate on this.

“All of us know his passion for cricket. After playing for so long, we cannot tell him how much he should play. He has brought his own standard so high, that if he cannot sustain it then he will himself retire. If he will feel he is becoming a liability then he will himself retire.”