Last year, he said in an interview to rediff.com: “There are disgruntled elements in every sporting arena. All those who seek Sachin Tendulkar’s retirement must first acknowledge his huge contribution to Indian cricket. There was a time when we could guide him.

“He was like a child to me when he started playing. Today, I hold him in reverence. Even though I am in touch with him on phone, I have never ventured to give him a word of advice.”

On another topic, Bedi said here that getting 10 wickets in a Test is like scoring a hundred in each innings. “Even a player of Tendulkar’s calibre has not done it, so it’s an enormous achievement,” the legendary left-arm spinner said, recalling his 10-wicket haul against Australia in Perth 1977.
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