'I didn't always have the freedom' - Sachin Tendulkar blames BCCI for interfence during his captaincy days

Sachin Tendulkar, who made his international debut on November 15, 1989 and retired on November 16, 2013 after a 24-year career, has opened up about the constraints he faced as India captain during the 1990s. In a Reddit Ask Me Anything session, Tendulkar stated that the BCCI did not always allow him to select his squad without outside influence, a candid admission that sheds light on a difficult chapter in Indian cricket administration.

Tendulkar was appointed India captain on August 10, 1996, at

the age of 23 years and 109 days, replacing Mohammad Azharuddin. His first assignment in that role included the Sahara Cup series against Pakistan and the limited-overs Singer Cup competition involving Sri Lanka. He was removed from the captaincy in 1997 following poor team results, returned for a second stint beginning in 1998, and eventually stepped down in 2000 after a largely unsuccessful run. His win percentage as captain stood at 16 percent in Tests and 31 percent in ODIs.

"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," Tendulkar said in the Reddit AMA.

One of Tendulkar's early assignments as captain was a Test series against South Africa from December 21, 1996 to January 30, 1997, which India lost 0-2. The tour of Australia in 1999-2000 also came under his leadership before he stepped away from the role.

Who are Tendulkar's favourite captains?

Despite his own difficult experience leading India, Tendulkar has clear admiration for the captains who followed him. Both Sourav Ganguly and MS Dhoni transformed Indian cricket in the years after Tendulkar's second stint ended, and he has placed them firmly at the top of his personal list.

"As far as my favourite captains go, Sourav Ganguly and MS Dhoni would definitely be at the top of my list!!," Tendulkar said.

Under Ganguly, India reached the final of the 2003 ODI World Cup, finishing as runners-up to South Africa's hosts. Dhoni then led India to the 2011 ODI World Cup title on home soil, a triumph that completed what Ganguly's era had set in motion.

Tendulkar admires Temba Bavuma's captaincy?

The legendary cricketer also expressed his admiration for South Africa captain Temba Bavuma, praising his leadership and the results he has delivered for Proteas cricket.

He said, "I truly admire Temba Bavuma’s spirit. He has led from the front and delivered some remarkable results for South Africa cricket. South Africa winning an ICC title is great for world cricket!"

Temba Bavuma's South Africa recently defeated Australia in a Test series 2-1, a result that underlined the strength of the Proteas under his leadership. Bavuma himself contributed a career-best 179 in the second Test of that series.