Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Tuesday conveyed his best wishes to batting maestro, Sachin Tendulkar who is set to play his last Test match starting November 14, and said that it would be hard to replace the iconic figure.
"An integral part of watching a cricket match was waiting to see how Sachin Tendulkar would perform. Its almost impossible to imagine that somebody, who was such an important factor in making cricket as popular as it is, and in stamping the name of Indian cricket on the world map, will be playing his last Test match in a few days from now. India may continue to win but there will not be another Sachin Tendulkar," he told media here today.
He further hoped that the master blaster would use his immense talent to try and develop more cricketing talent in India.
"And I hope, while his playing days are behind him, he has an important role in the Rajya Sabha as a Member of Parliament (MP). I hope he will use his wealth of cricketing experience to benefit the game of cricket and I wish him all the best for his future days as he lays down his bat," he added.
A lot of fan frenzy is expected at the Eden Garden stadium in Kolkata tomorrow, the venue for his 199th Test, where a wax figure of the master blaster raising a cricket bat in joy has also been installed.
West Indies Cricket team manager, Richie Richardson had recently said that the retiring Indian cricket icon would have to earn every single run in his last two Tests against the Caribbean side.
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Tendulkar had a great exit in terms of his IPL career for Mumbai Indians after being given an emotional send-off by his teammates, following their win in the Champions League.
He also led his Mumbai team to a Ranji Trophy victory over Haryana in his last match for the domestic side, after they needed 39 runs to win on the final day with four wickets remaining.
Tendulkar will officially retire from all forms of cricket following his 'much awaited' last Test match in his home stadium of Mumbai on November 14 against the West Indies, which is going to be his 200th Test.
