In a bizarre turn of events, Sachin Tendulkar has been lambasted by Indian press regarding his comparison to Muhammad Ali.
The sport is more than just a game, cricket is a religion and the legendary batsman is viewed as a demi-god in his beloved India, with fans flocking to stadiums to watch him perform. Eventually retiring in 2013 as the leading Test run scorer in history. The 43-year-old is a national treasure for the nation, yet it's taken the death of The Greatest to ignite this view on him
Sandeep Dwivendi of the Indian Express didn't hold back against the 'Little Master' in comparison to Ali. Dwivendi has berated him over the responsibilities and power he had to potentially influence millions of Indians but refusing to in order to protect his reputation, claiming;
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"Tendulkar too has that license, but either he isn't aware of it or is too conservative to use it. He has told friends in private that he avoids taking stands since he doesn't want to get dragged into controversies or offend people. But not speaking out and wasting a mandate that he has so diligently earned like Ali, is a bigger breach of trust.Tendulkar has been a silent spectator during every emotive or divisive controversy India has grappled with."
The Hindustan Times' Pradeep Magazine also belittled Tendulkar's fame and success in comparison to Ali's, saying;
"Muhammad Ali was a hero to even me, an incomparable icon who puts to the shade all the (Sir Donald) Bradmans and Tendulkars of this world."
Tendulkar did pay his respects to the former heavyweight champion of the world on Twitter.
Topics: Cricket
