Sports · Cricket · 2 hrs ago
Tendulkar Says He Lacked Full Team-Picking Freedom as India Captain
In a Reddit question-and-answer session, Sachin Tendulkar discussed his time as India captain and shared his views on other leaders.
He captained India in two stints, from 1996 to 1997 and from 1999 to 2000.
Tendulkar said he did not always have full freedom to pick the team, and described Indian cricket at the time as going through a dark phase.
He said the BCCI is now a far more professional organisation than it was in the 1990s.
He named Sourav Ganguly and MS Dhoni as his favourite captains; Dhoni led India to the 2011 ODI World Cup title, while Ganguly’s team finished runner-up in 2003.
Tendulkar also praised South Africa captain Temba Bavuma and said 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi should play more red-ball matches before taking on a vice-captain role.
Sachin Tendulkar said he did not always have full freedom to choose India’s team while serving as captain.
He described leading India as a great honour and said Indian cricket went through a particularly dark phase during that period.
Tendulkar made the remarks during an Ask Me Anything session on Reddit.
He named Sourav Ganguly and MS Dhoni as his favourite India captains.
Tendulkar captained India in two stints in the 1990s.
- Who
- Sachin Tendulkar, former India captain.
- What
- He said he did not always have full freedom to pick the team while he was captain.
- When
- During a Reddit Ask Me Anything session on Tuesday. The articles were published on November 3 and 4, 2026.
- Where
- In a Reddit Ask Me Anything session.
- Why
- Not stated.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Tendulkar served his first stint as India captain.
Tendulkar served his second stint as India captain.
Tendulkar discussed his captaincy during a Reddit Ask Me Anything session.
- Captaincy stints
- August 1996 to 1997 and 1999 to 2000
- Freedom to select
- Tendulkar said he did not always have full freedom to pick the team
- Favourite captains
- Sourav Ganguly and MS Dhoni
- Reddit session
- Ask Me Anything session on Tuesday
4 sources
‘India went through a dark phase’: Sachin Tendulkar opens up on captaincy stint
Fan Asks Sachin Tendulkar About 'Favourite Captain' He Played Under. His Reply
Sachin Tendulkar Opens Up On India Captaincy, Names His Favourite Captain
What people are saying
It was a great honour to lead the team as captain. However, I didn’t always have the freedom to pick my team entirely on my own. The BCCI today is a far more professional organisation than it was in the 1990s. Indian cricket also went through a particularly dark phase during that period,
As far as my favourite captains go, Sourav Ganguly and MS Dhoni would definitely be at the top of my list!!