2.6.2008

New Delhi: Sachin Tendulkar is not getting younger anymore but he dispatches any retirement talks with the same disdain which is generally reserved for a rank half volley.

In a free-wheeling interview in CNN’s Talk Asia programme, the 35-year-old bares his soul and talks at length about his life and career. As he delves into the highs and lows, Tendulkar recalls the disappointment after India’s first round exit from the 2007 World Cup. But for someone who possesses virtually every significant batting record, Tendulkar is just in no mood to walk into the sunset.

"There’s definitely cricket left in me," he asserted.

He admits the 2007 World Cup debacle was particularly disappointing but Tendulkar said he managed to retain his hunger.

"It was a disappointing moment...a huge disappointing moment. But I came back and I started working...on my game. I trained harder and I wanted to perform better," he said.

Over the years, Tendulkar achieved what remained dreams for lesser mortals and the best compliment probably came from Don Bradman who saw his own shadow in the Mumbaikar. Asked about his personal choice, Tendulkar reveals the special place he has in his heart for a certain West Indian.

"I think that someone that I would like to watch is Brian Lara. I think he’s special," Tendulkar said.

Asked about on-field skirmishes, like the Sydney racism row involving teammate Harbhajan Singh, and whether cricket remains anymore a gentleman’s game, Tendulkar said, "Now that there’s a lot of media attention on the players, and everything is put under a microscope so sometimes it’s blown out of proportion, sometimes the player is at fault." (PTI)

Courtesy - Island