Doha: National football team coach Bob Houghton, on Thursday, compared Indian captain Bhaichung Bhutia to batting maestro Sachin Tendulkar for the influence they wield on their teammates “on and off the field”.

“Bhaichung has won a celebrity dance competition, he is a celebrity in India,” Houghton said in a lighter vein when asked if the “Sikkimese Sniper” can be compared to Sachin.

“Comparison between Bhaichung and Sachin must be going over the heads of a lot of people here who don’t know cricket,” Houghton said.

“The best cricketer in the world is in India. Tendulkar is a very fine role model, a fine person. Comparison with Bhaichung is similar.

“They are of the same age, they keep going. Bhaichung retired a few years ago (in 2006) but came back. This man is a major influence on the team on and off the field. He is a leader. If we can get him out on the field, he could make a difference for us,” he said .

Houghton said Bhutia’s influence on the team is such that having him in the ongoing Asian Cup squad despite fitness issues was “worth a gamble”.