Kohli and co the best Indian Test team ever? Sachin Tendulkar responds

Master Blaster Sachin Tendulkar said that there should be no comparison between teams when he was asked if the Test team led by Virat Kohli is the best Indian side. Times and rules of the game have changed, the Indian legend added.

“First of all, I would like to say that there should be no comparison between the teams. If you look at the teams of the ’80s or the teams of the ’90s, then each team has its own importance,” Tendulkar told DNA in an exclusive interview. 

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The Indian Test team under Virat Kohli were not displaced as World No 1 for 42 months (October 2016 to May 2020) – a record in India’s cricketing history. They’ve won consecutive Test series in Australia, beaten South Africa and England away from home and also boast a staggering home record. India will on Friday face New Zealand in the final of the inaugural edition of the ICC World Test Championship. 

“There is a balance of players in teams of every era and every team plays cricket against different teams with different rules. Circumstances are totally different and the change of rules has had a huge impact on cricket,” Tendulkar continued. 

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Drawing a comparison between his era and the current times, the 48-year-old said, “If you see, in earlier times, more than 250 runs in ODI cricket was considered a good score, but today even 300 runs are not enough to save the match. This is because the rules of cricket have changed.”

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When Sachin Tendulkar retired from Test cricket, India was the third-ranked team, behind South Africa and England. 

“It is not right to compare the current team with the earlier teams. Just look at the South African team, how their team was earlier and how much it has changed today”.  

“We should not compare any team and if I have to compare the teams, then without any doubt India is at the top because we can win in any situation,” he said.