Australia captain Michael Clarke reflects on incredible career of retiring great Sachin Tendulkar

WE'RE taught that no players is bigger than the team, but as Michael Clarke writes, that may not apply to Sachin Tendulkar.

Michael Clarke greets Sachin Tendulkar after the New Year's Test at the SCG in 2012. Picture: Gregg Porteous.

SECOND to Bradman.

When I pause to think about the remarkable achievements and countless milestones that have defined Sachin Tendulkar's career, the only conclusion to draw is that he is the best batsman the world has seen since The Don.

No one has ever or will ever match Bradman’s Test average of 99.96. And I don’t think anyone will surpass Tendulkar’s record of 200 Test appearances when he retires after next month’s series against the West Indies.

His longevity and consistency over 24 years has been astonishing and, given the way scheduling is going these days, I don’t think we’ll see another batsmen match his feats of endurance.

I'm not a huge believer in statistics, but it was hard not to be impressed when Sachin posted his 100th international century earlier this year.

Many batsmen would be happy to post just one Test or ODI ton in their career, given how difficult they are to compile.

To think Sachin has raised the bat 99 more times is incredible. And you’d have to think he’s every chance of adding to that tally in his final two Tests.

When you're playing against Sachin in India, it's hard not to feel like you’re in the presence of greatness. He is treated like a God and the noise that accompanies his walk to the centre is unlike anything I’ve experienced in cricket around the world. I wonder if there’s an equivalent in any sport, in any arena in the world.

We are always raised to believe that no individual is bigger than the team, but I’m not sure that necessarily applies for Tendulkar.

When the first wicket falls, the crowd builds noticeably as people rush from their offices and schools to watch the great man bat.

They cheer singles. They scream for boundaries. They go crazy for sixes. And when he’s out, many of them leave.

Michael Clarke greets Sachin Tendulkar after the New Year's Test at the SCG in 2012. Picture: Gregg Porteous.

There's no doubting India loves their national team, but it’s quite possible they love Sachin even more. It’s incredible.

His technique sets him apart from any batsman I have seen. His defence feels impenetrable a lot of the time as that big 3lb bat - mine, by contrast, is 2lb8 - blocks out everything but the sun. He is equally at home against fast bowling as he is spin and planning to dismiss him is among the hardest tasks in the game.

It's incredible to think he has averaged in excess of 53 in Tests while carrying the expectations of a billion people to the crease.

Yet, when you meet the man, it doesn’t seem to faze him all that much. Most of our conversations aren’t even about cricket - they’re about cars. He has a big collection and he’s incredibly passionate about them.

We will only see one Sachin Tendulkar in our lifetime. While India go on to produce many great cricketers - including the likes of MS Dhoni, Virat Kohli and Virender Sehwag – no one will rival Tendulkar for longevity or public adoration.

I'll miss watching him. I won’t miss playing against him.

Michael Clarke column