Sachin and the new Indian Jersey???

Thats what It was :)


That's what it is...
No Wonder Sachin does not look happy :-|

Surprised by the title?? Don't be! There is a direct correlation between the color of the Indian Jersey and Tendulkar's on field performances. And I am gonna prove it! Well this has been a Renaissance for Tendulkar. His performance over the last 2 years has been almost Bradman-like. But wait a minute! Did we say 'last year'? Last year- when India toured New Zealand? Right!!! But that was the time when India changed their jersey to the then-odd-and-now-used-to dark blue one, with Saffron collars and many other colors! But let us not discuss the jersey. We are discussing the God- Sachin Tendulkar.

So here we go, to my favorite part- numbers!

THE 'PRE-JERSEY' YEAR
India played in their new jersey from March 2009. And that jersey lasted till October 2010. (That makes me think it's such a cool way to earn on merchandise)From the period 1st Jan 2008 to 1st March 2009, (that's PRE-JERSEY :)), Sachin's figures look quite ordinary in ODIs, and decent enough in tests. He averages 48.31 over the 13 tests played in this time, with 4 100s and 3 50s. Admittedly, the opponents were Australia, England, SA and SL, so it's a good performance. However, in ODIs, the numbers go down drastically.

Sachin averages a paltry 34.14 over the 15 ODIs in this time; 1 100 and 3 50s. Not a great record at all, and obviously tongues had started wagging about the end of Sachin's era.

But then came the transformation the Little Master needed. The New Indian Cricket Team Jersey. And the numbers sky-rocketed.

THE POST JERSEY
From March 2009 to Nov 2010, Sachin averages a STAGGERING 86.23 over 15 Tests, with (hold your breath!!!) 8 100s and 7 50s. He averages 90 at home and 83 in away tests. The period also accounts for 2 of his double hundreds! So, if 48 earlier was good, Tendulkar almost doubled it in the new-jersey Era. Enough Said! Let's talk ODIs now, which I think is where Sachin has been a pleasure to watch recently.

In the same period (though he hasn't played an ODI since Feb when he scored 200*), he averages another STAGGERING 68.52 over the 21 ODIs, with 4 100+ scores and 3 50s. Once again, he has doubled his average over the previous year!!! Most significant is the fact that 3 of his highest scores have come in this period- 163* against New Zealand, 175 vs Australia and the special 200* vs South Africa. And, I personally regard that 175 as his best innings ever. But that's not the point. The point is- the New Blue Jersey was working its magic on Sachin, and runs were flowing crazily out of his bat!!!!

And then BCCI had a brain freeze, just like always. They decided on this new jersey. Since then, Sachin has played no ODIs, but has played 3 Test Innings- scores of 40, 12 and 13. Well the new jersey's unlucky! And with the World Cup around the corner, the jersey should be thrown out in favor of the old one. Or else, how do you make Sachin score like he has been doing!!!

Well, on a closing note, the article's written in jest, and I just tried putting something that I noticed, and was in my head, into words! With the GOD, it doesn't matter.. BUT, the question is- what if the Old Jersey was 'actually' bringing luck to Sachin??? ;-)