Tendulkar's retirement was coming: Dhoni

Pune, Oct 12 (IANS) India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni said Sachin Tendulkar‘s rertirement was on expected lines and lauded the cricketing great for staying on top of the game for the last 23 years or so.

“I knew it (retirement) was coming I am quite happy for him, for the kind of illustrious career he has had, for the time he was at the top throughout his career. For 23 years or so he was always at the top,” said Dhoni on the eve of the first of the seven-match series here Saturday.

Dhoni said Tendulkar had to carry the burden of the expectations of the entire country for the last 23 years.

“When you are the top batsman for your side for a considerable period of time, everyone scrutinises your performance when you score or don’t score runs? He had to carry the expectations of so many Indians. At times the Indian fans set very high level of expectations. To bear with all of that and to come up with the performances that he came up with is fantastic.”

Asked if he expects a full house in Mumbai during Tendulkar’s farwell and 200th Test, Dhoni said if it doesn’t happen, then it wouldn’t happen in the 25 years as well.

“I think at the moment we would rather enjoy the two Test matches to the fullest. It will give me an opportunity to see a housefull Test match. I have seen big crowds coming in, but it’s one chance I will see a houseful crowd hopefully in both the venues. If I am not able to then in the next 25-30 years I don’t think I will see a houseful Test match,” he said.