Sachin Tendulkar book: Indian rates Michael Clarke a better captain than Ricky Ponting or Steve Waugh Man of the match Michael Clarke shakes hands with Sachin Tendulkar after dismissing India and winning the 2nd Test Match in Sydney in 2012.Pic: Gregg Porteous Source: News Limited SACHIN Tendulkar hasn't been entirely complimentary of Michael Clarke in his new autobiography, however he has rated the Australian captain a better leader than both Ricky Ponting and Steve Waugh. Clarke arrived back from the disastrous tour of the UAE to fanciful questions about his captaincy, but has received a resounding endorsement from one of the all-time giants of Test cricket. Waugh skippered Australia to 15 of a world-record 16 consecutive Test victories. And by the time Ponting relinquished the captaincy, he had set the mark at that time for the most wins ever by a Test captain. Australia's cricket team captain Michael Clarke laughs with former captains Ricky Ponting, Steve Waugh and Allan Border. Sachin rates Clarke the best he played against. But Tendulkar rates Clarke as superior to both of his predecessors, because his achievements have come despite not having a team of superstars at his disposal. In his new book Playing It My Way, Tendulkar criticised Clarke and Ponting for their conduct and integrity during the "Monkeygate" Test of 2008. However, cricket's greatest ever run-scorer has also written about his respect for Clarke's performance since taking the reins from Ponting in 2011. Tendulkar voted former England skipper Nasser Hussain the best skipper he ever came up against, but Clarke the best Australian he faced in 24 years of Test cricket. "Among the Australians, I rate Clarke as the best captain I played against," he said. While I was too young to judge Allan Border in 1992, Mark Taylor, Steve Waugh and Ricky Ponting benefited from having some of the greatest players of our generation in their teams. With so many matchwinners, the role of the captain is automatically reduced. He had to rebuild the Australian team from scratch and to do so in such a short time speaks volumes for his ability as leader. Michael Clarke congratulates Indian cricketer Sachin Tendulkar on becoming the first batsman to reach 14,000 Test runs. From 39 matches in charge of the Australian team, Clarke has won 19 matches, lost 13 and drawn seven. He has suffered some disappointing results abroad, most notably last year's tours to India and England and the most recent series against Pakistan. However, he also masterminded Australia's incredible revival to score an Ashes whitewash over England last summer and led from the front when his side went back to No. 1 against South Africa back in March. Clarke is well regarded for his innovative captaincy and with the exception of the UAE Tests, the 33-year-old's batting feats have gone to a new level since he took charge. Originally published as Sachin: Clarke better than Waugh, Ponting