Walking Out to Protect Master Blaster Himself....

Wisden Cricinfo staff - December 31, 2003

Sourav Ganguly has put to rest the speculations that has raged over Sachin Tendulkar's 'demotion' in the batting order in the second innings, and that should be that. When pushed to answer what prompted the decision, Ganguly clarified that Tendulkar hadn't suggested the move, but when given an option, had a shown an inclination to save himself for the battle the next day.
"It's not that he suggested it," Ganguly said, "I asked him after they got bowled out that evening if we were to lose early wickets would he still like to go out for the last four or five overs. He said he wouldn't mind coming the next day. I said fair enough. He deserves that consideration after the amount of runs he has scored for the country.
"It wasn't the best time to bat. And when you haven't got runs in your last two or three innings it does become a bit harder when you come out to bat in the last five or six overs of the day. Sachin is the best batsman in the world and he is one of our key members. And there are times in your career when you have to look after certain people. I don't think there is anything wrong in that. We want him to fire, and if he could have converted that knock into a hundred, me coming at number four would have done the job."