Former England captain Geoffrey Boycott is glad that Sachin Tendulkar has decided to call it quits after his 200th Test as he feels the Indian veteran's "legacy to cricket is more important than playing on for another year or two".
"I am glad Sachin Tendulkar has announced he will retire after his 200th Test match because for the best part of 24 years he has been loved, adored and admired by millions," Boycott wrote in his column for 'The Daily Telegraph'.
Tendulkar, who has been in international cricket for 24 years, will retire after playing his 200th Test, which will happen during the home series against the West Indies next month.
"His legacy to cricket is more important than playing on for another year or two. That would not have enhanced his reputation. It would only swell his bank balance and he does not need any more money because he is already one of the richest cricketers ever," Boycott said.
"What he requires is to retain his reputation as one of the finest and greatest batsmen who has ever lived," he added.
Boycott paid rich tribute to Tendulkar's longevity and described him as a flawless player.
"Playing in 200 Test matches is a remarkable achievement. ...To be able to clock up that many matches a player needs exceptional ability to retain his form, which we all know can rise and fall. He must stay very fit, which becomes harder as you get older," he said.
"On top of all that he must maintain his enjoyment of playing and that is not easy because you become jaded after years of travelling the world on overseas tours and playing in many different cities for Tests in India.
"After 10 or 12 years at the top most guys have had enough so to play for as long as Tendulkar you need to be single-minded and driven to the point of wanting to play cricket more than anything else in the world," he added.
