Keep things simple, make it special for Sachin: Dhoni tells team

Mumbai, Nov 13 (IANS) India skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni Wednesday had a special advice for his team mates who want to do something special for Sachin Tendulkar, who plays his 200th and farewell Test against the West Indies beginning here Thursday — keep it simple.

“As far as the team is concerned, we’d like to keep it simple. That would be a big thing. Everyone wants to do something special, if we can keep it simple, that itself would be special. If someone does something simple when everyone else is trying special, that’s good. We have a few things in our mind, but I think cricket is very important first and foremost. We’re going to concentrate on it and enjoy it,” said Dhoni on the eve of the match at the Wankhede Stadium.

Dhoni said it was important for Tendulkar to enjoy his swansong.

“I’d like him to enjoy, because you can’t guarantee performance. Of course, you can say (hope he gets) a hundred, a double hundred, a triple hundred or 500, whatever. But at the end of the day the most important moment is that it is his last Test match. It’s important that he enjoys this and hopefully gets us a few wickets … You can get a bit of turn and bounce on this Mumbai wicket,” said Dhoni.

Asked if there has been a change in Tendulkar’s body language, Dhoni said: “His body language has been exactly the same as it was in the last match, or vs Australia (in the last Test series).”

With both the Indian cricket board and the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) planning their own felicitation ceremonies, Dhoni said the team was trying to stay focussed.

“As I said in the last match also we’re treating it as normal as possible. Of course, there are plenty of things that are going around, so we’ve kept the focus and the drive. They’re enjoying the moment, which I feel is the key, but at the same time we’re focussed,” he said.

Dhoni was also surprised with the hype surrounding the match.

“I think it’s in the cricketing history … this has never happened in the past, let alone the 8-10 years that I’ve been around,” he said.

But he doesn’t see hype as a distraction.

“It’s too late to ask whether it’s a distraction or not because whatever has happened has happened. I think it’s a big part and parcel of the game. It’s a big historic moment, and people are trying to do whatever they can, and we don’t really mind that,” said Dhoni.

The India captain said he was fortunate to play alongwith Tendulkar for 10 years.

“I never thought that I’d get to play with him, and if I’ve played eight-ten years with him, I’m very fortunate. He’s guided the youngsters very well, showed them how to lead life after you become successful, and at the same time how you’re supposed to prepare. So I think he’s been fantastic and we’ve learnt a lot from him.”

Dhoni also refused to disclose if he would allow Tendulkar to lead the side like he did five years ago during Sourav Ganguly‘s farewell Test.

“You’ll have to wait and watch five days, I want you to concentrate,” he said.

Paying rich tribute to Tendulkar, Dhoni said: “As far as Sachin is concerned, I would consider him as great because when it comes to Indian cricket, you’re under the microscope throughout. It’s not only the cricketing aspect; I think what’s difficult is to handle things in India more than how to handle the success, the expectations of the people. We’re expected to win each and every game, which is not possible.

“Yes, there are other greats, but there was one thing they didn’t have to deal with, and that’s the level of expectations. When you’re doing well that itself puts pressure on you. But imagine when you’re going through a lean patch, the expectations go up, they never come down.”