Sachin Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag have heaped praise on Indian team cricket analyst S Ramakrishnan, saying his analytical softwares have helped rectify technical flaws and fine-tune their game.
Sehwag paid the utlimate tribute to Ramakrishnan, better known as Ramki, saying his triple hundred at Multan in 2004 came immediately after the latter helped spot a chink in his armour.
"Ramki helps players by explaining the mistakes of each individual through his software.
"In India's tour to Pakistan, I was not able to get to my rhythm. I could get about 20 runs in four one-day matches.
"I spent about an hour before the Test series with Ramki in viewing the clippings. Ramki said that my feet was too wide and head was falling (not still).
"I made amends to these and scored 300 plus runs in the Test," Sehwag said at the launch of Ramakrishnan's Sports Mechanics, a software marketing company, here on Friday.
Tendulkar said, "Ramki has really helped us for a long, long time ... We discuss for long hours after viewing clippings on computer. I have learnt a lot on the game with innovations."
"Computer technology has developed so much. I hope Ramki or others do not develop a software that goes and scores runs," Tendulkar added in a lighter vein, after captain Rahul Dravid formally launched the company.
Tendulkar admittted that he is not fan of computers but a lover of music.
"I am not a fan of computers and my love for music is known. I get music (Hindi and English songs) recorded on Ramki's i-pod," he said.
Dravid said that Ramakrishnan and the Indian team has had a long journey together.
When Dravid referred Ramki as 'John Left', the invitees, including former cricketers like K Srikanth and W V Raman besides others, burst into laughter.
"I used to play in Tamil Nadu league and my colleagues in the team used to refer Ramki as John Left," the skipper said.
Dravid explained that Ramki always used to sit to the left of John Wright, the former Indian coach.
Terming Ramakrishnan as an integral part of the team, Dravid said "his contribution always goes unnoticed but all the team members and support staff value his contribution incomparable."
Coach Greg Chappell also commended Ramki's work.
"He is part of what myself and the team's suport staff do and it helps in many ways in the performance of the team."
Responding to the felicitations, Ramakrishnan said he had, since 2003, helped over 5,000 cricketers and provided analysis and software to ICC and 21 countries.
"I want the Sports Mechanics to be the BPO for all sports federations globally and help India win gold medals in Olympics Games," he added.
