By IANS,
Kolkata: Happy over the grand farewell given to batting great Sachin Tendulkar at Mumbai’s Wankhede stadium Saturday, former captain Sourav Ganguly said it has increased the brand value of Indian cricket.
“I am happy at the grand farewell given to Sachin Tendulkar. The cricketing circles are overwhelmed. It was befitting of the honour that a legend like Tendulkar deserved,” Ganguly told television channel ABP Ananda.
A teary-eyed Tendulkar bade farewell to the game Saturday, after India’s victory in the second Test against the West Indies.
“Indian cricket’s brand value has gone up because of the farewell given by the people of Mumbai. This will increase’s the game’s popularity,” said Ganguly, a contemporary of Tendulkar, who was at the Wankhede doing television commentary.
Ganguly said their former teammate V.V.S. Laxman — also a commentator now — had tears in his eyes as Tendulkar gave an emotional speech, thanking his family, coach, cricketing authorities and his former and current Indian teammates.
“But for me it was a happy day, and not one to shed tears. It was the perfect finish for a player of Tendulkar’s class. I later went to the Indian dressing room, and congratulated Sachin,” said Ganguly.
Ganguly admitted he has never seen Tendulkar so emotional.
But for Ganguly, the biggest moment was when Tendulkar returned to the ground after the lap of honour and bowed down to touch the 22-yard strip and prayed in a show of reverence.
“It was a message that whatever profession you pursue, you must respect that. You should not take it for granted if you want to make it big.”