Peak rating is one of the most fraudulent metric lol One can score a 350, 400 in one series get to that rating. Lara himself has mentioned that he wanted to be more consistent rather than scoring one big 100 and missing for next few matches. This guy saved us with bat in Tests, won Tests, won ODIs, saves us with bowling as well. In the famous Eden Gardens Test he took 3 crucial wickets in the 2nd dig. Then he saved a few matches by bowling clutch overs. He never had to bowl. But he did his part. He was an outstanding outfielder. He went beyond and above. Pretty much the savior during the fixing saga. One of the best all condition player in history. There is a reason why Tendulkar is celebrated as god by Indians. He was a prodigy who lived completely upto expectations. Not sure why so much heart burn. Some of his knocks in the 90s were ridiculous. Not ordinary players can play like him. Those straight backfoot punch through cover. Richie Benaud knows more about cricket than these fans. Insane following from youngsters. I am not talking about Indian youngsters. Australian young kids were cheering 18 year old Scahin in his very first series. He made an instant impact in world cricket. Within no time he signed up contract for 26 crores became the biggest brand. Dare i say BCCI's influence started picking up after Sachin's arrival.
"India's victory in the World Cup was not just a story about cricket. It was an economic success story as much as a cricketing one," Ed Smith wrote in 'The Times'.
economictimes.indiatimes.com
An icon for a nation, Sachin Tendulkar embodied the rise of a new India, with cricket helping to revive its fortunes
www.bbc.com
People have utterly no clue about the stature of Sachin in the 90s. He was near untouchable height. Toss your stats and filters into dustbin. He was a phenomenon when he started. Ended his career as a phenomenon with 100 centuries. Highest run getter in Tests. Highest century maker in ODI. Highest run getter in ICC world cups. Lived through two generations . Dominated in various phases. The more you attempt to shove down the theory "sachin was ordinary" more it will be laughed at. I am not joking. Without Sachin cricket was dead in India in the 90s. That guy singlehandedly lifted the image of India at all levels.
Cricket commericalization started with Sachin. All the Kohlis and even Babar that enjoy these commercialization was due to this guy.