Sachin Tendulkar says it is a passion for cricket rather than a desire to keep adding to his already impressive list of records that provides the reason for him to extend his career.
Tendulkar, the first man to score 50 international hundreds and Test cricket’s all-time leading century maker with 37 in 137 matches, has had his motivation called into question recently after a poor World Cup in the Caribbean where India exited at the first-round stage.
Former Australia captain Ian Chappell, whose brother Greg opted not to renew his contract as India coach after the World Cup, said that if Tendulkar was motivated solely by statistical milestones he should think hard about whether it was right for him to carry on.
But the 34-year-old Tendulkar, speaking at Lord’s ahead of the start of the first Test against England on Thursday, said it was a love of the game and not an obsession with landmarks that kept him wanting to play 18 years after he made his international debut.
”I am absolutely enjoying it. That is the reason for me to walk on the cricket field. The most important thing is my love for the game. If I feel I am not enjoying it as much there is no reason for me to be out there in the middle,” he said.
Tendulkar, as if to emphasise the point that team rather than individual success matters most to him, when asked to recall his first Test hundred — against England at Old Trafford in 1990 — said it was the fact his innings saved the game rather than getting to three figures that pleased him most.
”The first hundred is always a special hundred. It came at a critical moment. It kept us alive in the series. It really meant a lot to me,” he said.
”We had lost the first Test and in the second Test we weren’t in a comfortable position. At that stage I went in and stayed not out, which kept us alive in that series.
”Getting the hundred was terrific, but what I actually wanted to do was save the match and the hundred was the icing.”
He added: ”I have never set targets as such. Vaguely I would know in the back of my mind, this is what I would want to do on this tour. But I never disclose my targets. Not even my family knows about it.
”But I wouldn’t let that dominate. You want to keep your mind as free as possible so you can watch the ball as clearly as possible,” added Tendulkar, who warmed up for the first Test of a three-match series by scoring 171 against England Lions, the national A side, at Chelmsford last weekend.
Tendulkar, whose 10 922 runs leave him fourth on the list of Test cricket’s leading run scorers behind leader Brian Lara, Allan Border and Stephen Waugh — all of whom have retired — reckons this could be his fourth and final Test tour of England.
”It looks like that. God knows what is in store for me. But the previous tour was 2002 and this is now 2007, so 2011 or 2012 would require a special effort.”
In England, Tendulkar can enjoy a degree of anonymity unknown to him in India where his megastar status means he is subject to a level of attention beyond even that experienced by England footballer David Beckham.
”I just want to make sure I enjoy every moment I spend in England,” Tendulkar said. ”Rather than dividing my energy in various directions, I just want to focus on this series and enjoy it.”
On this occasion he is unlikely to face England all-rounder Andrew Flintoff, currently sidelined with an ankle injury.
”He’s a great player. When India’s not playing here, I would want to see him,” Tendulkar said with a smile.
India have come to England without a head coach as such but in Chandu Borde, the former Test batsman and chief national selector, who is 73 on Saturday, they have a vastly experienced tour manager and someone for whom Tendulkar has immense respect.
”Chandu Borde was my first manager in 1989 when I was picked to play against Pakistan,” Tendulkar said. ”He has seen a lot of cricket in his life. He’s a wonderful person to have around and he’s helped us.” — Sapa-AFP