'Patience is what we require now to defend well': Sachin Tendulkar compares battle against coronavirus to Test cricket

The outbreak of coronavirus has put everything to a halt and while people are in a state of panic, Indian legend Sachin Tendulkar feels patience is what is needed in this time of the hour.

Tendulkar has compared the coronavirus outbreak to that of Test cricket and is urging everyone to have patience and work as a team. 

“While the world battles the COVID-19 pandemic, this is probably the time for of us to draw lessons from the grand old format of the game,” Tendulkar wrote for The Times of India newspaper. 

The record-holding batsman said the virus was “beyond our collective comprehension” but could be beaten with tactics used in cricket’s five-day format.

“Test cricket rewards you for respecting what you don’t understand. It makes you value the virtue of patience,” he wrote. “When you don’t understand the pitch conditions or the bowler, defence becomes the best form of attack. Patience is what we require now if we have to defend well.”

As for India's battle against coronavirus, the country has reported three deaths and 169 cases so far. However, there are high chances of the spread of the disease that has killed nearly 9,000 people around the world. 

The 46-year-old Master Blaster said all countries must work together against the virus. “To use a cricketing metaphor; while individual brilliance can help a team in shorter formats of the game, in Test cricket it is all about partnerships and teamwork,” he said.

“Test cricket is about staging comebacks. There is always a second innings, if you’ve missed the first one.”

“Different countries are at different stages of their fight against coronavirus,” he added. “All nations should consider themselves part of one team.”

“We shall take this battle session by session, and eventually emerge victorious.”