Kolkata: August 27, 1908, was the auspicious day when a legend was born in Cootamundra town of Australia to change the entire dynamics of cricket. Still today, Sir Donald Bradman remains one of the most renowned and celebrated cricketers in the world.
Bradman’s last match was in 1948, but his fame endured among millions of fans who have seen him only in flickering film clips from black-and-white newsreels. One of them was the former South African President Nelson Mandela, whose first question to an Australian visitor on his release from 27 years of imprisonment in 1990 was, ”Is Sir Donald Bradman still alive?”
72 years and hundreds of Tests matches later, the majority of the cricket fans still believe no one can match Bradman. While the legend himself has said Sachin Tendulkar was the closest to his batting.
Sachin along with the former Australian leg-spinner Shane Warne met the Australian legend on his 90th birth anniversary at his home in Adelaide in 1998. On Don’s 112th birth anniversary, Tendulkar paid a warm tribute to him. He said that even World War II could not affect his form, though he was away from cricket for several years, yet he has the highest Test batting average.
Sir Don Bradman was away from 🏏 for several years due to World War II, yet has the highest Test batting average.
Today, with concerns about athletes’ form due to uncertainties & long breaks, his career stands even taller as a source of inspiration.
Happy birthday Sir Don. pic.twitter.com/Q735mlJMvk
— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) August 27, 2020
Bradman played 52 Tests for Australia from 1928 to 1948 and retired with a batting average of 99.99, which still remains the highest. Bradman passed away suffering from pneumonia on February 25, 2001, at his residence at the age of 92.
