05 January,2011 08:50 AM IST | | Debasish Datta
Former India captain-turned-commentator Ravi Shastri told an audience here on Monday that it was Sachin Tendulkar, who played a key role in restoring the faith of cricket fans after the match-fixing scandal of 2000.
Shastri addressed a gathering at the Western Province Cricket Association's Annual New Year's address and delivered a talk, the first of which was given by current India coach and Cape Town's favourite son Gary Kirsten in 2005.
"It was Sachin, who brought the crowds back after that scandal. He gave confidence to the public, who were shocked to hear all those things in the fixing scandal," said Shastri.
Yesterday, Shastri was delighted that his former teammate and friend Tendulkar scored his 51st century close on the heels of his century in Centurion.
"Fifty one is still a number for Sachin. He is going ahead and not relaxing at 50. That is the hallmark of a great player. He was made to struggle for his runs but he knew how to capitalise after the survival phase, " Shastri said.
The former all-rounder does not believe that the Ashes is the biggest series going on in the cricketing world.
"This (India vs SA) is the big series. Remember, the No 1 and No 2 Test nations are playing here, while in Australia it's No 3 vs No 4. Also, Ricky Ponting is the only superstar, who figures in that series. On the other hand, here there are seven to eight players, who are highly ranked in the ICC ratings," added Shastri.
