Tendulkar is a messenger of God: Bedi

Former India captain Bishen Singh Bedi paid rich tributes to Sachin Tendulkar and termed the retiring batting great "a messenger of God".

"Tendulkar is a messenger of God, who was sent to show us how to play the game," Bedi said at India Today Group's 'Salaam Sachin' conclave.

Stating that Tendulkar's retirement would leave a big void in the dressing room, the spin legend said players like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma have learnt a lot from the champion batsman.

"They have utilised Sachin's presence. His work ethic won't change. It will be a big vacuum. I hope he keeps in touch with Indian cricket. He has many roles to play. He can guide the younger lot," Bedi said.

Bedi also shed light on Tendulkar's captaincy and why he didn't  have good run.

"He was shy and withdrawn. He wouldn't have enjoyed captaincy. His middle-class upbringing was a great sign for batting but to a certain extent restricted his leadership qualities," he said.

Another former India captain Dilip Vengsarkar opined that Virat Kohli could fill in Tendulkar's boots in the limited overs format.

"Virat is outstanding. He can break the 51 ODI centuries record. He is extremely fit. But Test cricket is different," he said.

Former India 'keeper-batsman Kiran More said that Tendulkar expected other players to be like him, which did not work in his favour as a captain.

"He always wanted them to play up to his standard," More said.

Meanwhile legendary all-rounder Kapil Dev was of the view that Sachin Tendulkar should devote at least two years to his family without taking up any other assignment after his retirement since his family has missed out on spending happy times with him due to his long stint with the team.

"What should suggestion should I give? Although he would have thought about it...but I would say he should now devote all his time to his family who could not be with him for 25 years when he was playing for the country. He should take care of himself, take rest and be with his family now and he should take something new only after two years," Kapil said.