Indian legend Sachin Tendulkar has offered an unusual take on the coronavirus fight by comparing it to Test cricket, urging patience and teamwork, and warning “we have to defend well”, reports agencies.
India has reported three virus deaths and 169 cases but the country is fearful of the spread of the disease that has killed nearly 9,000 people around the world. Like many countries, it has imposed draconian travel restrictions.
The cricketing legend recently joined the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) ‘Safe Hands Challenge’. Tendulkar also took to Twitter where he can be seen explaining his followers the benefits of staying hygienic during the ongoing coronavirus season.
In an exclusive with a leading Indian daily, Sachin Tendulkar used a Test cricket metaphor and urged fans to follow suit of the game’s purest format for tackling coronavirus.
He said that just as coronavirus is a disease the world is yet to understand completely, Test cricket is something that rewards its players who keep patience in situations they don’t understand. Sachin Tendulkar also cited Test cricket’s example by saying it is a team game and only partnerships and teamwork can win a team matches. Similarly, the impact of coronavirus can be kept at bay only if all of us take necessary precautions against the same.
The world record-holding batsman said the virus was ‘beyond our collective comprehension’ but could be beaten with tactics used in cricket’s five-day format.
Tendulkar, 46, retired in 2013 after scoring 15,921 runs from 200 Tests, and has considerable influence in Indian society. He said all countries must work together against the virus.
Some days ago, the Master Blaster of Indian cricket issued a video about the correct way to wash hands in order to avoid contracting COVID-19.
