Thaindian News

New Delhi, Nov 4 (IANS) West Indies coach Ottis Gibson believes the hype around Sachin Tendulkar’s 100th international century could make it tough for the batting maestro.

The 42-year-old Gibson was unaware that Tendulkar is on the verge of scoring his 100th international century.

“I was not aware of the milestone and haven’t thought much about it. But I feel if there is too much hype, it would be tough for Tendulkar,” said Gibson after a practice session at the Feroz Shah Kotla.

“But Tendulkar is a legend and he would get it anyways any time soon,” said Gibson.

West Indies’ pace spearhead Ravi Rampaul, however, said the team was aware of Tendulkar’s impending milestone but they are focused on playing good cricket.

“We know that Tendulkar is on the verge of a personal milestone but our target is to play good cricket. We have to stick to our plan,” said Rampaul.

Tendulkar scored his 99th century against South Africa during the World Cup earlier this year. He came close in Mohali where he scored a match-winning 85 against Pakistan in the semi-final. A dream final awaited him in his home town Mumbai but Tendulkar disappointed everybody by scoring 18 at the Wankhede Stadium.

The hype during the England tour was built around Tendulkar’s 100th century. But Tendulkar disappointed again in what turned out to be a miserable English summer for India, who failed to win anything during the tour.

Tendulkar came close to achieve the landmark century in the fourth and the final Test at The Oval. He scored a fighting 91 and stitched 114 runs with Amit Mishra (84). But once Tendulkar was dismissed, India suffered a collapse, losing five wickets for just 21 runs, and gifted an innings and eight runs win to England, who won the Test series 4-0.

A toe injury ruled out Tendulkar from the subsequent five-match ODI series in England, which the hosts won 3-0, and also the return ODI series against England at home.