I want Sachin to continue playing: Kumble

Amid increasing calls that Sachin Tendulkar should retire, spin legend Anil Kumble Friday said he wants him to continue playing.

Sachin has come under intense pressure from sections of the media, public and former cricketers to call it a day.

After Sachin told a TV channel about his future plans, Kumble said: “I can’t think of Indian cricket without Tendulkar and I want him to continue.

“It’s a privilege to have shared the Indian dressing room for 13 years with Tendulkar. Eventually, he will have to take the call (for retirement). But this question of when to retire should be best left to him,” added Kumble after launching his sports academy TENVIC at a city school here.

The 41-year-old, who retired from international cricket in 2008 after taking 619 Tests and 337 ODI wickets, said it was an individual’s decision to retire and not anyone else’s.

“Tendulkar will also eventually have to take the call,” Kumble said.