Sachin Tendulkar turns 40 on Wednesday. He is continuously playing international cricket for India since 24 years. The master batsman is not at all worried about all the talks of poor form and retirement around him. His soaring passion and motivation levels helped him to continue till date. We can expect him to play into his 40s. Turning nostalgic, Tendulkar narrated that he is the same person who made his Test debut against Pakistan inKarachi in November 1989 as a 16-year-old boy.
In fact, Tendulkar still spends a "very long" time at the nets preparing for a match. He is still eager to play his "best" innings ever. The 40-year-old revealed in a recent interview that every time he gets out when there is an opportunity for him to perform, he likes to do something special. He feels that he could have done better, that is the innings he looks forward to play.
Tendulkar has an emotional favorite, a century dedicated to the victims of the 26/11 terror attack on Mumbai. He declared that the Chennai hundred 103 not out against England after 26/11 in 2009 was the most crucial knock which is very close to his heart due to the circumstances.
Tendulkar advised the school kids in a recent public appearance that it is wrong to call him a God. He has scored a hundred international centuries and of course has an ODI double century—no doubt he is no ordinary cricketer. But like anybody else, he is prone to make errors.
Fame has made Tendulkar humbler in life due to his all-time habit of few words and a very private person. He disclosed highlighting his deep appetite for runs that he is that same Sachin who is still involved with the game as he was at 16. He will remain entirely involved as long as he is playing cricket.
Tendulkar most probably remains the sole genuine "cooling" agent in the Indian dressing room. This may be the reason why Captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni appreciates his presence even if Tendulkar is not scoring up to the mark.
Actually, the Little Master misses Laxman, Dravid, Ganguly, Kumble around him. However, he is at ease with India's Generation Next cricketers—a Yuvraj Singh who will dedicate his World Cup performance to him, a Virat Kohli who will adore him and a seasoned Dhoni who will always heed his advice. To be precise, there is no "generation gap" for him. That is the exact reason which makes Tendulkar "indispensable."
Tendulkar revealed that luckily the new-generation cricketers have been part of the one-day squad, so he knows them. They have spent time with each other before they are included in the Test squad. They are not new to him. Even if he is not scoring huge runs regularly, still he remains as the bowlers delight either at mid-on or mid-off. He always has good words for the bowler who goes for runs. He disclosed that he always walk up to the captain or the bowler. He just gives them more options relating to what he feels can be done with the final decision resting on them.
Tendulkar’s talent of accepting and adjusting to the way the modern game is perceived and played has only enhanced his tenure in international cricket. He would like to concentrate more on the Tests instead of T20 and ODIs at the international level which can only prolong his career in Tests.
Tendulkar's intimacy with IPL keeps his brand equity as a master blaster alive and propelling. He does not want to become the Captain. Instead, he wishes to score runs freely as a batsman which in fact is fulfilled by Mumbai or BCCI managements who always accepted his wishes.
Tendulkar admitted that Test cricket will always remain the ultimate format for him. No doubt, it is the most challenging form of the game. However the T20 format has changed the players' approach. Now, people are ready to take more chances and play different shots when pushed into a corner.
BCCI president N. Srinivasan recently proclaimed that Indian cricket requires Tendulkar. This declaration was something more than an assurance for the Little Master. It also conveyed the former stalwarts who write news to be discreet when they want Tendulkar to give a chance to a youngster in the highly jam-packed Indian middle-order.
Tendulkar agreed that he does not read articles. However if somebody wants to suggest him a few things about his batting, correct flaws and genuinely help him improve, he is free to pick up the phone. They are residing in the same hotel, same ground, just enter and tell him.
The indications reveal that India will certainly have him on their long tour of South Africa commencing in November 2013. On the other side, Tendulkar will definitely have a few points to prove against the world's best Test nation. It will be an assault of justice if Tendulkar quits the same way through which he had arrived! We wish all the best for his future tour to South Africa later this year.
