I would not have skipped ODIs if I cared for records: Tendulkar

He doesn't hide the fact that he is happy but for Sachin Tendulkar says, "50 is just another number."

"Yesterday was my father's (the late Ramesh Tendulkar's) birthday. I dedicate this century to him. As for myself, I am happy and ok to have scored runs. I really don't know how to express my feelings," Tendulkar told reporters at the end of the day's play which saw him reach 50th Test century.

A teamman to the core, Tendulkar feels that the Indian team should be able to save the Test match.

"I believe in positive thinking. If you remain positive, you will find positive things happening," he said.

Asked about the secret behind his stupendous form, he said, "It's a state of mind. For the last two years, I have been doing well. I have been really enjoying my batting. I believe doing well is a habit and a good habit. So if you have this good habit, you shouldn't let it go."

Tendulkar was also happy that the team has batted well in the second innings.

"It was extremely important for us to do well and send a strong message. The wicket was difficult to bat on in the first innings. We needed to remain positive and confident."

Asked about the pressure that was around him with the entire nation waiting for his 50th Test ton with bated breath, the legend feels that it was more of a media creation.

"I wasn't under any kind of pressure. It was you guys who laid the foundation stone of pressure. I just built around that foundation stone," he said in jest.

A champion in every sense of the term, he was gracious when he praised his rival Jacques Kallis for getting his maiden double hundred in Test cricket.

"He (Jacques) is a great player. He has been the backbone of South African batting and what he has acheived is terrific."

Tendulkar also thanked his millions of fans back home in India and pledged to continue enthralling them with many more such moments.

"I thank all my fans who have supported him in all these years. I promise that I would continue to perform and make you all happy. I hope that I will keep getting your support in future also."

Tendulkar has always stressed that he never plays for records and it was no different when the media asked him to describe his feelings after completing the historic milestone of 50 Test centuries.

"I never think about records. I love to focus on preparation and trying to give more than 100 percent on the field. I love to play. Try and keep improving. If I would have been chasing records, I would not have opted out of few ODIs. I believe in producing quality cricket whenever I step on the cricket field.

About this particular knock, Tendulkar said, "scoring in situation like this gives one immense pleasure. All of us know that how the wicket behaved on the first day of the match. I don't want to give any excuse but wicket was different only on the 1st day.

"It was extremely important to bat well in the 2nd innings. It was even more important to send loud and clear message that we can fight back strongly. I think we have done that."

However, the legend feels that his knock of 136 vs Pakistan in Chennai (1999) was the most difficult knock of his career.

"I think my knock of 136 against Pakistan at Chennai was toughest. Wicket was really deteriorating and quality of bowling attack was outstanding."

Tendulkar also attributed his good show to the bat he has been using for almost one year.

"God has been kind to me. Yes, this bat has given amazing service to me. Normally, a bat doesn't last that long. You may get one bad awkward ball which keeps low and bat gets broken in the toe.

"I have been lucky as far as this bat is concerned. I know that this bat is not in best of condition as I am using it for so long. I have few bats absolutely ready for match. But the moment, I pick up this bat, I feel that no one can get me out," Tendulkar said with broad smile on his face.

For the record, Tendulkar has scored 12 hundreds with this bat including first ever ODI double century.

About the state of the match, Tendulkar said, "I won't rule out possibility of us saving this Test match."