Kolkata: West Indies batting great Brian Lara today said Sachin Tendulkar is to cricket what Michael Jordan is to basketball and Mohammad Ali to boxing and suggested that the Indian batsman should try scoring 400 in his last Test match.
Lara is the only batsman in the history of the game to have scored 400 runs in a Test innings.
In a talk show with former India captain Sourav Ganguly here this evening, Lara said in term of greateness, no cricketer can get close to Tendulkar.
"In terms of stats, you're going to have players with better stats, you never know. Virat has been exception in One-day games. There are boxers who have better record than Mohammad Ali but if you mention about boxing you've to mention Mohammad Ali, Basketball you have to mention Michael Jordan.
When you speak about cricket, you'll speak about Tendulkar," Lara said.
Lara said Tendulkar should not take any pressure of performance in his 200th Test and he should just go out and enjoy the game.
"I would tell him, you had the greatest cricketing career than anyone. I don't think any career compares with Tendulkar in terms of cricketing career. Just enjoy the next five days of cricket. You have the ability to score 400 runs, go score 400..."
Asked what must be going on in Tendukar's mind ahead of his last match, Lara said it was hard to predict.
"But if I was in his shoes at the moment I would think I don't need to prove anything. It would be wonderful to get a big score in his last match. I would prepare for that. But I would not put any undue pressure. I've nothing to prove. It's very important for him to find what motivates him. If it's pressure then let him be under pressure."
