Sachin is the best, says Brian Lara

"If I had a son who wanted to play cricket I wouldn't have told him not to watch my videos but instead ask him to look for Sachin's (videos) as he has the perfect technique against any kind of bowling. It is the best I have ever seen. Perfect for a youngster to learn from," Lara said.

While praising Tendulkar's impeccable longevity, Lara said it would have been hard for the champion batsman to fulfil the huge expectations of his fans during his two-and-a-half decade career.

"His longevity is amazing. He started couple of years ahead of me and ended six after I retired. These 24 years are testimony to his skills, dedication and fitness level. His zeal while playing for India was simply amazing. I know he has had a tough playing for 1.3 billion people," Lara said at an event 'Salam Sachin', organised by India Today Group in honour of the legendary batsman.

Lara felt that Tendulkar deserved every bit of adulation before his final hurrah at his home ground at the Wankhede Stadium here. "The felicitations for him are much deserved. He has sacrificed a lot for the nation and dedicated his entire life to the game," Lara insisted.

Asked about a perfect timing for a cricketer to retire, the left-handed batsman said: "Retirement is not something you look forward to. It is not planned. In my case when I thought I had nothing more to offer to West Indian cricket I made the decision to leave."

On his favourite moment while competing against Tendulkar, Lara recalled the 1997 Barbados Test when he, as a leader, was successful in executing a strategy to get the Indian out.

"India needed just 120 to chase in the fourth innings at Barbados. We had planned to get Tendulkar out while playing behind the wicket - not presenting the full bat face.”