It is important how you finish the race but equally important is how you start it: Sachin Tendulkar

Sachin Tendulkar has worn many hats post his playing days, entering into business ventures or sharing his ideas. With the experience he has gained over the years playing for India, and more importantly the fame he has earned, Tendulkar is a name that sells like hot pancakes when it comes to endorsing products. The theme of each of them revolves around cricket. This time around, the hat he wore at a recent event was that of co-creator of Quaker Oats+Milk, a health drink.

The legendary batsman, who has almost all the batting records in international cricket including the 100 international centuries and 200 Test appearances, settles down in the chair, adjusting his blue shirt that is not tucked into his dark blue trousers for an exclusive, short but fierce interview with G Krishnan, in which, with carefully measured words and deep clarity of thought, he speaks of his new co-creation, the values of nutrition and food-habits and life's lessons on the field and off it. Excerpts:

Why oats and milk? Was it challenging to do something like this?

In fact, it is the other way around. The challenges I have faced in life, I have shared with them (PepsiCo India) and given them my point of view of what a sportsman needs. I feel this drink is not about providing nutrition only to sportsmen. It is also for the common man who wakes up in the morning and starts his day on a good note. It is important how you finish the race but equally important is how you start it. Today, every day is a race. Every day, we have to achieve some target. If you don't start well, you don't achieve your target.

Why is food an important factor to win?

I remember in my school days, in fact even before that, when I was a kid, I would not go home (after play time). Nutrition was not on the priority list. Playing cricket, jumping around, spending as much time as possible with friends were my priorities but my mother knew exactly what was important for me. There were occasions when food would be sent down to the playground in front my building. A glass of milk would regularly come for me.

When I started playing cricket seriously, I was still unaware of how important nutrition was for a sportsman. I continued playing but did not have proper fuel, as I call it, because if you have to survive the whole day, the body requires fuel. I did not have that.

I remember the day I suffered because of this. One day, post-lunch, I went out to bat and was hungry. I was feeling weak. I did not have enough energy and after I got out, the first thing I said was that I wanted to eat something.

I realised that this lifestyle was not going to help because it was affecting my performance directly. What's the point in going out to play if I was not taking care of my pre-match preparations. That's when I understood that to be able to perform, you need to prepare and it is not just mental preparation. It's also what your body requires. The first thing you lose is concentration, and you cannot afford to lose that.

People are aware of nutritional values nowadays. How have eating habits changed?

I am not one of those who follows a diet 365 days a year. You should eat everything. You should be in a position to eat anything if you lead an active, healthy lifestyle. But also equally important is to understand that you cannot have anything and everything. There is a time and place for everything. As long as you are aware of that balance and practice it, that is okay. That is what we are trying to introduce to people – to lead a healthy lifestyle and balance their diet. As I said before, for any person to survive the whole day, you need to start well.

How have your eating habits changed over the years?

My eating habits have changed over a period of time with more knowledge, more exposure and more experience. During my playing days, I would start the loading phase the previous night. Whatever food that would help me perform well the next day, or keep in a position that I am ready to deliver, and then start my day with porridge that would give me energy. The conditions in certain parts of the world are not kind. To meet all those challenges – you are also sometimes competing against weather conditions besides the opposition – you have to be in the right frame of mind. And, the morning breakfast I had kept me going.

You have been involved in many business ventures. You must be aware of the risks involved. Have you feared failure?

I am an optimist. Whenever I decided to play a shot, I never thought, 'What if I get out?' If you do that, you will never be able to play a shot. The safest way is not to do anything. That way, you never fail. But the guys who succeed are prepared to cross the line and take those small steps. And, I have done that in my life with my cricket career. Here also, I am partnering a company that's, a leader in its field. Their knowledge and research are immense. To have such a solid partner at the non-striker's end makes you feel confident.

Earlier you spoke about challenges in your life. What have been the lessons you've learnt on the field and off it?

Cricket has taught me a lot. It has given me everything. When I look back to when I started playing cricket as a 11-year-old, and gradually started travelling, cricket taught me real life lessons. While growing up, cricket taught me to focus, to lead a disciplined life, to plan because preparations are important. And above all, to be able to execute those plans. Because, while many people plan not many are able to execute those things. There were occasions when I was not able to do it. Cricket, and the right company – my coach, my family and everyone around me – taught me 'even when you fail, it is important to get back on your feet and compete in the fairest manner. I did that. Those have been real life lessons that I have learnt from cricket.

Is there something that you wanted to achieve but could not because of your star status? Is there something that you yearn to achieve?

You cannot have everything in life. There are certain things you miss doing. I missed attending my children's birthdays and their annual days in school. And a lot of family functions. Even during festivals, I would be out playing with the team. I have missed spending those special moments with my family. In no way, am I complaining because I chose to play cricket and loved every moment being out there in the middle. People come to enjoy us, support us. No regrets, no complaints at all.

You have brought the country to a standstill. People have dropped everything just to see you bat. Have there been moments when you went that extra mile to watch a game or stayed awake late?

I'd stay awake to watch Formula One or tennis matches. If my favourite players were playing, I would stay up one hundred per cent. Also, I remember when the first time cricket was played in coloured clothes and it was telecast in India, the B&H World Championship of Cricket in which Ravi (Shastri) won the Champion of Champions award – that was a series I watched, despite the time difference. I enjoyed watching it. These days too, I sometimes stay awake to watch sport.