2015, why not?

On the eve of  completing 20 years in top-flight cricket, Sachin Tendulkar says he would like to go on and on. Who knows, we could be celebrating his silver jubilee…

How has the game changed in the last 20 years?
Plenty — 3rd umpire, hot spot, etc. The most noticeable change is T20. We’ve seen plenty of innovative shots. In ODIs, batsmen trying new shots. The average total in the ODIs has gone from 210 to now 265-270. Also, there are more results in Tests. We’ve all changed for the better and I’ve tried to make myself a better cricketer. You need to be on your toes. I’ve tried to do that.

How do you stay on your toes for 20 years?
With a lot of hard work, dedication, discipline. I was lucky to have a good support system. My brother always guided me, my father always supported me, my mother always fed me well. There’s this combination of inner forces contributing from different directions. Mother doesn’t understand much of cricket but she prays for my success and India’s success. There are those difficult moments which I feel are challenging, and that is what I share with my wife. I cannot fail to thank the people of India for all the affection, love and support.

Can you recall some of your poignant moments?
My India cap. It was a dream come true. There have been many since but the most important one was that. Walking with the playing 11 in Pakistan was the greatest feeling. Whatever I did after that was a reflection of my contribution towards the nation’s cause.

You have been humble all through your career...
I’ve not made any effort to stay humble, it’s just my upbringing. I felt my family made sure my feet were on the ground. My father didn’t teach me — but just looking at him and watching him closely I picked up a lot of things, and the most important thing he told me was: “it’s your nature which is going to stay permanently with you, the rest will come and go.”

Who has been the biggest influence on you as a player?
My brother Ajit. I discuss a lot of cricket and he knows my batting possibly better than any other person in the world. Then there are Sunil Gavaskar and Ravi Shastri who travel with us.

Can you take us through the incident when you were hit by Waqar Younis in 1989?
I still remember that incident. We were at 39/4 with a day and half still left when I got hit on the nose. I was hit a few times in school cricket. So when I was hit by Waqar that made me more competitive and I decided not to move and fight.

How different is batting at international level?
Nothing is easy. I want to prepare to the best of my ability. Even today I do that. There may be an innings where you don’t do well, that’s fine as long as you have given 100 per cent. That is what matters to me.

How have you changed as a cricketer?
Initially I thought I could hit every ball. Gradually, I learnt to be more selective. I learnt to respect the bowlers. When a bowler is bowling well, it is wise to respect him. It’s something which I learnt with age and experience.

How do you feel when you do well and the team doesn’t?
I have never been asked this question before. But, actually, yes I feel bad. I play for the team and it is not about individuals. It is a difficult thing. But on the brighter side when you have one billion people to share your joy, there is nothing better than that. But when that doesn’t happen you look forward to the next game and try and make sure that you perform better as a team.

Your most memorable innings?
The 2003 World Cup game against Pakistan was the biggest match of my life. In my second Test at Faisalabad, I scored only 58 or 59. But in the previous Test I had got out early and I had actually questioned myself whether I belong here. I decided I was not going to get worried about runs and at what rate I was going to score them. That particular innings was the turning point of my life because after that I felt I do belong here. It is just a matter of tackling the first few minutes, of judging the pace, bounce, spin. I was new to Test cricket and something like that needed to happen to make me feel good and make me believe that I belonged here.

Your memories from childhood?
We lived in ‘Sahitya Sahwas’ colony in Bandra East. I broke a lot of glass panes of neighbouring houses. My actual cricket started when I was 11. My brother spotted the spark in me and then he took me to Achrekar sir. Those three to four years under him were really important for my development. He would hide behind trees to see our games and then later he would point out the errors.

There are some stories about your first-ever century...
It was during a school game. I was unbeaten on 96 overnight and couldn’t sleep. We were playing against Don Bosco and I was impatient to get to my first-ever century. I had invited Achrekar sir to dinner but he said the day I score a century he would come. Next morning my father took me to pay obeisance at a Ganpati temple. I scored the century in the very first over. I told Achrekar sir that he had no way out but to come to my house.

Does the media introspection affect you?
I’m comfortable with it. I don’t do anything differently. People have appreciated me for what I’m so I don’t make any special effort to change.

How did opening in the ODIs happen?
We were playing in Auckland. I was the vice-captain. I requested both captain Azhar and coach Ajit Wadekar to “just give me one opportunity.” They both agreed graciously and I was able to go out and perform. It helped me as a cricketer because you go out and face the new ball and at the same time you are looking at putting the ball away. Those days one would look to leave as many balls as possible in the first over and not lose wickets early on and then gradually accelerate. That decision helped my game.

Are you satisfied with your captaincy stints?
It was a great honour to captain the country. The very first Test itself was a memorable one in Delhi. Then we won the Titan Cup in India against the two toughest opponents — Australia and South Africa. Then, in Toronto, we beat Pakistan in the Sahara Cup. There were many occasions where we came close to winning. It was full of highs and lows.

How do you handle aggression?
Aggression should be inside. It has to benefit you and not benefit your opponent. You can see aggression in the eyes of players.

MS Dhoni says you can go on till 2015?
It would be nice if I can go on that long but I don’t want to think that far. My focus is on the near future. I feel there is cricket left in me and everything is going really well. At this stage I am looking forward to the 2011 World Cup. But I want to play as long I enjoy my cricket.