Sachin's brilliance scores over team spirit?

As India and New Zealand prepare for yet another Test match at Ahmedabad's Motera stadium, Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar scoring his 50th Test ton would be the perfect Diwali gift, but may one dare to ask for whom?

If cricket was an individual sport then batting icon Sachin Tendulkar would probably be its undisputed king, but a career which spans over twenty resplendent years has been marked more with personal achievements than anything else.

It goes without saying that his contributions have gone a long way in India's most memorable victories but there have also been numerous occasions when the team has required his services when the chips were down and the master has failed to deliver.

One such example that springs to mind is the Harare Test during India's tour of Zimbabwe in 2001. India under Saurav Ganguly's captaincy were aiming to win an away series for the first time since 1986. The Indians had won the first Test at Bulawayo and the match hung in the balance this time around. Tendulkar played a loose shot outside off stump to be caught by Grant Flower of the bowling of Heath Streak which allowed the hosts to claw their way back into the match and win it by four wickets. The series ended 1-1 with both sides sharing the spoils.

Even one the greatest admirers of Sachin, the legendary Sunil Gavaskar could not help pointing out that Tendulkar had let down millions who were praying for him to steer his team to safety.

The master's splendid double ton in the Sydney Test against Australia in 2004 will be remembered for his tenacity and not having to do anything with deliveries outside the off stump. However, that approach was brought about because of his dismissal in the second innings of the Melbourne Test which was undoubtedly an opportunity lost for Team India.

What might have been had the maestro done the needful in the Boxing Day Test when the series could have been decided in India's favour?

Sachin's obsession with the art of perfection or reaching milestones also can't be dismissed with a mere smirk.

With a total of 95 centuries against his name (49 in Tests + 46 in ODIs) at the international level, it would be almost criminal to suggest that Tendulkar suffers from the concept of nervous nineties.

But rewind to 2007 during a one day international between India and South Africa in Ireland when Sachin turned blind for a second run when on 98 to get to what should have been a routine century, another one for the collection.

However, he was caught short of his crease and the year witnessed scores of 99, 93, 99, 94, 99 and 97 from 26th June to 15th November in ODIs including that ill fated run out which in a way put the mockers well and truly on the little master.

Would it be harsh to point out that the batting ace has not exactly reached the three figure scores with a flourish lately?

Who can forget the rather unsavoury incident in Multan, when Sachin called for a press conference during India's historic tour of Pakistan in 2004 after he was denied a double century because of acting captain Rahul Dravid's decision to declare?

The fact that he finds it at times finds it difficult to carry others along with him is reflected in his poor captaincy record. Apart from that he is also one to be sitting on the fence more often than not without taking a stand on any perticular issue apart from the 'Monkeygate episode' when he was firmly behind Harbhajan Singh.

Tendulkar's records speak for themselves and he is the perfect role model for youngsters apart from being a living legend, but it seems that as the years have gone by he has focussed a lot on individual brilliance and if the team benefits as a result then so be it.