Sachin Tendulkar, greatest ever to have played: Kevin Pietersen

England batsman Kevin Pietersen reckons that Sachin Tendulkar is the "greatest ever" to have played the game of cricket. Pietersen was here on a visit to Amity University campus, where he gave tips to budding cricketers.

Later in an interaction with the students, Pietersen was asked about his team's strategy against Tendulkar when they take on Mumbai Indians in their next Indian Premier League match tomorrow. "Sachin is a magnificent player. He is the greatest player ever played. In Twenty20, anything can happen. It's hard to predict result and we will try to win two points," the South African-born English cricketer told a packed auditorium.

Pietersen was also asked about his inspiration in cricket. To which he said, "I don't follow anybody. I grew up in South Africa and loved watcing Jonty Rhodes, Hansie Cronje. Other than that I liked Mark Waugh. There are a few people I enjoy watching them play but I can't be somebody else." Pietersen, who plays for Delhi Daredevils in IPL, was also asked to compare playing at Lord's and Ferozshah Kotla.

He said, "Lord's is traditional, English. There are knowledgeable people. At Kotla it is intense, loud. I have lot of respect for crowd here. It's loudest than any other (venue)." Pietersen feels India were lucky to have two great batsmen in Rahul Dravid and Virender Sehwag playing at the same time. KP as he is popularly known played with Dravid when he was with Royal Challengers Bangalore and is now playing alongside Sehwag.

"Sachin is a magnificent player. He is the greatest player ever played. In Twenty20, anything can happen. It's hard to predict result and we will try to win two points," the South African-born English cricketer told a packed auditorium.

"Rahul is magnificent player. It is a privilege to have played with these players. India is lucky to have these great men. It's great to play in Bangalore and Delhi," he signed off. Australia's Finch was asked by a girl student if he knew some words in Hindi language. The Victoria player said he knew, "theek hai, chalo chalo and some bad hindi words," which obviously he did not say in front of the students.

© PTI