Sachin’s view of IPL

India batsman Sachin Tendulkar was all praise for the Indian Premier League after the inaugural season drew to a close on Sunday.

Tendulkar’s Mumbai Indians failed to make the semi-finals of the IPL despite a stirring comeback after a string of early losses, in which the ‘little master’ did not feature because of a groin injury.

But Tendulkar said he was pleased to have been involved in the IPL’s first season, which was won by Shane Warne’s Rajasthan Royals after a dramatic final against the Chennai Super Kings.

“I’m very happy to have been a part of the inaugural edition of the IPL. It has been a huge success,” Tendulkar told CNN’s Talk Asia programme.

“People all over the world are talking about it and I don’t mean just enthusiasts of the game.

“In Test cricket, the game gets a little boring for the casual spectator because there isn’t much excitement.

“In one-day cricket too there are phases where little action happens.

“But that’s not the case with the IPL. It’s so full of excitement.”

Tendulkar believes criticism from purists that Twenty20 ‘dumbs down’ the game is short-sighted.

He said: “I don’t think it’s dumbing down the game. There was the same criticism to one-day cricket when it started but, over the years, it has proved very successful.

“I think the IPL is a good way to globalise the game.”

There were several calls for Tendulkar to retire at the end of the World Cup in the Caribbean, but the 35-year-old batsman believes he still had plenty to give.