Former greats want Tendulkar to play in World T20

New Delhi, March 23 (IANS) Sachin Tendulkar's sparkling form in the Indian Premier League (IPL) has intensified calls of his inclusion in the Indian team for the Twenty20 World Cup next month.
Tendulkar, who is a month away from his 37th birthday, had decided to stay away from Twenty20 internationals and concentrate on Test and One-day cricket. But former cricketers feel Tendulkar should reconsider his decision and play in the upcoming World Twenty20.
His presence will bolster India's chances in the West Indies, more so when most of the youngsters are going through a lean patch, they say.
'I think the kind of form and the fitness he is in, if he decides to comeback it will be wonderful,' former Test cricketer Abbas Ali Baig told IANS.
'He has adapted himself marvellously in the shorter format of the game. When he decided not to play in the Twenty20, he must have been in a different state of mind. But today look at the the way he is playing. If he decides to play, he should be welcomed to the side.'
Legendary Sunil Gavaskar also said Tendulkar 'should make himself available for World Twenty20.'
Navjot Singh Siddhu said Tendulkar still has the hunger for the runs irrespective of the format.
'I think the selectors will have to consider his current form. He has made a strong case the way he is batting in IPL.
'Sachin is a cricketer who can adapt to any situation and score at any level. He is like a little boy whose enthusiasm for cricket refuses to die.'
Former Test captain Bishen Singh Bedi felt the decision should be best left to Tendulkar.
'He has not played in the previous two Twenty20 World Cup and we should respect his decision. Why force him to comeback at this stage of life and career,' Bedi told IANS.
Former India player Surinder Khanna concurs. 'Tendulkar is a champion player and he knows best whether his body can bear the demands of Twenty20 cricket. It was his decision not to play and we should respect whatever decision he takes now.'
Tendulkar was not part of India's Twenty20 World Cup winning squad in 2007 and also last year when India made an early exit.
The master batsman has been in blistering form in the ongoing IPL. He scored a match winning knock of unbeaten 71 off 48 balls against Kolkata Knight Riders at the Brabourne Stadium Monday. It was his highest T20 score and second fifty in IPL.
This season Tendulkar is third on the list of top IPL run scorers --176 (ave. 58.66) in four games -- behind Jacques Kallis (264) and Virender Sehwag (186).