Sachin's 50th as good as Perth hundred: Srikkanth

Mrs. Y.G. Parthasarathy, Dean and Director of P.S.B.B. Group of Schools, (centre) launching the 'edustrokes.com and cricketstokes.com’ at a function held in Chennai on Monday. Former Indian cricket captain Kris Srikkanth and dancer Srikala Bharath, are also seen. Photo: S.S. Kumar

Sachin Tendulkar's 50th Test hundred was among the best knocks in his career, according to chairman of selectors Kris Srikkanth.

“I was there when he made his hundred at Perth (114, February 1992), and I think this innings was as good as that,” he said. “The conditions at Perth were more difficult, with the ball flying around off the cracks, but this innings was equally great, the way he handled the situation, with India facing a deficit of more than 480.”

Srikkanth was speaking here on Monday while launching two new business ventures.

The former India skipper said that the toss had played a crucial role in India's defeat at Centurion. “I think it was 90 per cent because of the toss,” he said. “I'm not making excuses, but they were unlucky to bat in those damp conditions on day one. I was proud of the way they batted in the second innings. Looking at that, you can't say that they cannot play fast bowling on bouncy wickets.”

Positive

Srikkanth remained positive about India's series chances. “There are still two Tests to go, and I'm sure they'll at least level the series if not win it 2-1.”

He also said that Zaheer Khan could have made a big difference had he been fit to play, and added that India could have benefited from practice matches before the first Test.

Earlier, Srikkanth introduced two new e-learning initiatives, cricketstrokes.com – an online cricket coaching portal – and edustrokes.com – a portal seeking to teach schoolchildren maths and science concepts through sporting analogies.

“India speaks one common language, and that's the language of cricket,” he said, introducing the venture.

“My idea is to help students gain an easy grasp of concepts by giving them examples from cricket and other sports.

“For example, if someone wants to understand friction better, I'll talk about Wimbledon and the French Open – how serves will zip around on the grass courts but grip and come slower off the clay courts, because they have more friction.”

Edustrokes will consist of three programmes, for three age-group gradations between standard four and ten, he said.

Each programme will have over 30 modules in maths and science, with an interactive element, including live and archived classes (by Srikkanth and a panel of trained teachers) and the option for students to mail in any doubts they want clarified.

Cricketstrokes, meanwhile, will serve young cricketers with around 30 modules covering skills training, handled by Srikkanth and a group of NCA-certified coaches, and fitness drills, taught by Ramji Srinivasan, the Indian team's fitness trainer.