Lara declares Sachin as best in the world

The Sachin Tendulkar fan club has a couple of new member with West Indies batting legend Brian Lara describing him as the best batsman in the world right now and former England captain Alec Stewart calling him "the modern day Don Bradman".

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Participating in a panel discussion at Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni's 'East Meets West' Gala Dinner at the Hilton Park Lane in London on Monday, Lara said, "Sachin started playing (Test cricket) at the age of 16. And at 38 now, we have not seen a better player. Sachin is the best batsman in the world."

"I am going to the Lord's to see Sachin make his 100th century," he said.

Stewart, who also participated in the discussion, described Tendulkar as "modern day Bradman".

India's veteran batsman Rahul Dravid added to the praise, saying, "In India we have many Gods and he is one of them."

Answering questions from cricket commentator Henry Blofeld, Lara said, "While Sachin is special, Dravid is the wall."

"Dravid is always going to be there -- he is a tremendous player," he said.

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Stewart described Dravid as a "great player".

"Dravid is India's most technically gifted player," he said.

About Lara, Stewart said, "he was the best player in the 90s. But in modern day, Sachin is a better player than Lara -- a modern day Bradman."

Asked to forecast on the outcome of the India-England series, Stewart gave it 2-1 to England.