Ravi Shastri Tells Sachin Tendulkar To Enjoy Cricket Or Retire – Pat Symcox Calls For Leaving Tendulkar Alone

Former India captain Ravi Shastri has categorically stated that he would rather see Sachin Tendulkar not playing than watching him playing tentatively or timidly like he has been doing for last six months or so.

With former Australian captain Ian Chappell writing a hard-hitting article which said that Tendulkar should retire immediately, the debate has been raging on whether the master-blaster needs an advice on his future.

However, Shastri assessed the new development in a rational manner saying Tendulkar should take a good hard look at himself in the wake of his failures of late.

In an ESPN show ‘Taking Guard’, the former dashing all-rounder said: “ I have absolutely no doubt in my mind that he (Tendulkar) has at least two years’ cricket left in him.

“But he has to enjoy his cricket. I will have a chat with him and tell him to enjoy his cricket. He has the right to enjoy the game and why does he give me an impression that all pressure is on his shoulders?,” questioned the Mumbai-based cricketer, who has watched Tendulkar grow through a teenage.

To a question from anchor Harsha Bhogle, about whether Tendulkar is thinking about his growing age and thinking about things which he could do in his younger days, he cannot do now, Shastri said: “Possible, very possible. But he should never mind. You cannot get the consistency of say when you were 21-22 years, now but you should enjoy.

Other guest on show, former South Africa spinner Pat Symcox said: “Leave Sachin alone. He is experienced enough to get out of the bad patch, however long it may be.”

He added: "I hope there is no issue between brothers (Ian and Greg, who is India's coach) and Sachin is a scapegoat."