World Cup 2011 - Sachin Tendulkar in his 6th

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Sachin Tendulkar is playing his sixth World Cup - well known fact that he is only second to reach this landmark in the history of World Cups so far.

He has looked different in this edition from what we have noticed in the first five matches of the Cup. How?

• He has hit the highest number of sixes in the Indian team. This stat, in a lineup containing Sehwag, Pathan, Yuvraj is surprising. Considering his age, it becomes phenomenal.
• He has scored two centuries so far - not surprising. What is different though, is the fact that both have come against test-playing nations, not the minnows. England and South Africa are considered to be among the top-5 if not top-3 nations in cricket today.
• His fitness (touch wood) has been the best. He has been running quick between the wickets without any issues at all. No cramps during his centuries also. 
• His fielding has been top-notch - remember the saves he put in against South Africa in yesterdays match. The enthusiasm he showed to cut off boundaries of Kallis was worth emulating.

Some pointers on how he can take India all the way

• Bat for fifty overs. India has combusted badly in the final overs when scores of 350 were there for the taking. This score will give the team extra runs as insurance against their comparatively weaker bowling as well as their slow fielders
• Keeping their head. The Indians seem to be losing their head when things become hectic and batsmen/bowlers do not know how to keep their head intact. This is where Sachin should come in and advise MSD and the rest of the team on how to regroup.
• Get his 100th hundred out of the way quickly. One has seen that Sachin gets distracted on an impending landmark (remember the time before his 50th test century). With 99 in his kitty, Sachin will be under high pressure to score the next one. If he can get the century against West Indies, the knock-out matches will be relatively pressure-free for the veteran.
• On a lighter note, it will help the Indian team if Sachin can open the bowling as well with Zaheer Khan. Looking at the form of Munaf and Nehra, it is better that India goes with Harbhajan, Piyush and Ashwin in the playing eleven.