First trip to Australia changed me as a cricketer: Sachin Tendulkar

Sachin Tendulkar, who was today conferred with the Order of Australia, said the first trip Down Under way back in 1991-92 changed him as a cricketer and pointed out that the Aussies had a role in his transformation into a "tougher" player.

"It (the 1991-92 tour of Australia) completely changed me as a cricketer. It was a critical moment of my career. Three and half months changed me completely.

"I thought I was ready to play against any attack in the world and I can say that Australia has had some contribution in that to transform me into a tougher cricketer," Tendulkar said after receiving the honour at a function.

He said the Aussies, who are known for their mental toughness, also appreciate quality performace.

"We all know Australians are fierce competitors but when you do well against them, they shower on you all the compliments. And that is what happened to me. I scored reasonably well and scored a couple of hundreds there (in the Test series).

"That (the Test rubber) was followed by the tri-series against the West Indies, another tough opposition", he said.

Tendulkar further said he dreamt of playing in Australia ever since he was a 12-year-old.

"The association with Australia started long time ago and not in 1991. To me it started way back in 85 when I was 12 years old watching those fantastic day-night matches on television. I started dreaming that one day I want to go there and play cricket. It turned into a reality in 1991-92," he said.

The 39-year-old batsman got nostalgic when he recalled the moment when he met Sir Don Bradman and admitted that he was very nervous.

"The most memorable trip to Australia was when I was asked to come and wish Sir Don on his 90th birthday. I was in the middle of a national camp in Chennai and the BCCI graciously agreed to send me.

Tendulkar recollected that he was tense prior to meeting the late Australian legend Bradman.

"I met Sir Don along with (Shane) Warnie. We both were so tense, we didn't know how to react. We were driving to his place thinking about what questions to ask him. I said it's your turn. You are an Australian you should know better. I told him you start and I will take over a little bit later", he said.

"But the moment we went there we were struck by his personality. We just stood beside him and allowed him to talk as much as we could because we wanted to hear him. Sir Don had said the standard of playing in cricket was better now.

"The natural question was what would you have averaged in today's cricket. He said maybe 70... The natural reaction was why only 70, why not 99.94, he said come on son it is not bad for a 90 year-old man. That trip was truly a memorable one," he said.

According to Tendulkar, outside India, he enjoys playing in Australia and Sydney is his favourite ground.

"It is a wonderful spot to play cricket. I have to say publicly that away from India, it is the best spot I have enjoyed playing cricket. And away from India, Sydney is my favourite ground.

"I think these two things are so dear to me and have left me with such fond memories, especially SCG where I got the opportunity to hold Sir Don's bat which he had used.

"It takes a step further in my liking for Australia and SCG. I have met so many Australians who have said Australia is going to thrash you but we want you to score a century."

He added that the 2007 tour was also a memorable one for him as he received standing ovation at each stadium.

"The 2007 trip was very special because wherever I went, whenever I went to bat, the entire stadium gave me standing ovation. It was touching, something which will always stay with me for the rest of my life.

"On a lighter note, a friend of mine asked how does it feel, I said it feels great but I laugh in my mind because they all feel this is my last trip to Australia. I am glad I was there again. After 2007, how I couldn't be there in Australia in 2011?"

Coming back to that maiden cricket tour to Australia some two decades ago, Tendulkar said, "One had to be there and experience how cricket is played down under.

"Then the mega event of the World Cup in 1992, we were there for a month. And the kind of atmosphere I saw there was truly fantastic.

Tendulkar further said that he will be there in Australia to play cricket or as a tourist on his next visit.

"Who knows I might be again going to Australia to play cricket or just as a tourist, because I love that spot."

On the home series against Australia, he said, "I know we will be playing a series in a couple of months, which will be closely fought and fiercely fought in the right spirit."

Considered the finest batsman in contemporary cricket, Tendulkar has amassed 15,533 runs in 190 Tests besides his mammoth 18,426 runs in 463 ODIs.

Mumbai cruise on Tendulkar, Rahane tons

Sachin Tendulkar scored 137 runs (136 balls which includes 21x4 and 3x6) during the Ranji Trophy - Group A match, Played at Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai.

Match Stat

Sachin Tendulkar scored his sixth century in his last seven matches for Mumbai in the Ranji Trophy. However, he has played these seven matches in a period of 12 years.

Tendulkar has now scored nine centuries in 25 first-class matches for Mumbai at an average of 80.63.

Only Sunil Gavaskar, with 81 centuries, is ahead of Tendulkar (78) on the list of Indian batsmen with the most first-class centuries.

The gap of 22 months since the century in Cape Town in January 2010 is the longest interval for Tendulkar between two centuries in his first-class career. Between December 2005 and February 2007, Tendulkar had gone 14 months without a century.

Anil Kumble wants Sachin Tendulkar to continue playing

Sachin Tendulkar might be giving retirement a thought after 23 years at the international level but former captain Anil Kumble says he cannot think of Indian cricket without the iconic batsman.

Kumble, however, refused to be drawn into the debate of when Tendulkar should retire and said the decision should be best left for the veteran batsman.

"I can't think of Indian cricket without Tendulkar and I want him to continue," Kumble said when asked about Tendulkar telling a television channel that he will re-assess his future next month as at 39 he does not have much cricket left in him.

"It's a privilege to have shared Indian team dressing room for 13 years with Tendulkar. Eventually, he will have to take the call (for retirement). But this question of when to retire should be best left to him only," added Kumble after launching his sports academy TENVIC at a city school.

Kumble said it's hard for any sportsperson to call it quits after playing for a long time at the highest level.

"For any sportsperson it is a tough decision and it is for the individual to take the call. Tendulkar will also eventually have to take the call," said the former leg-spinner.

Sachin Tendulkar admits clock running down on his cricket career

Sachin Tendulkar has for the first time admitted that at 39 he may not have much cricket left in him and will reassess his cricketing future next month.

Tendulkar's retirement has been a topic of debate for quite some time now and the batting great said though he does not have any immediate plans, the thought of retirement has been on his mind.

He said that taking a decision on retirement after playing the game for close to 23 years will be a "hard one" and he will go by what his heart says.

"The moment of retirement is going to be hard because I haven't experienced anything close to what I might go through when I retire. It depends on what my heart tells me then. I need not take a call right now. When I play in November, I will reassess things," he said.

"I am 39 and I don't think I have plenty of cricket left in me. But it depends on my frame of mind and my physical ability to deliver. When I feel that I am not delivering what is needed, and then I will re-look at the scheme of things. I am already 39 and no one expects me to go on playing forever," Tendulkar told a private channel.

India play a four-match home Test series against England starting on November 15 in Ahmedabad.

Tendulkar, who holds almost all the records in world cricket after playing 190 Tests and 463 ODIs, said that it would be a tough call for him to hang his bat and he will go by what his heart says.

"I don't know. It is going to be hard because I haven't experienced anything close to what I might go through when I retire. I cannot relate this moment with any other moment in my life. It will be a tough call. I will go with what my heart says," said Tendulkar, who has scored 15,533 in Tests and 18,426 runs in ODIs.

"But I am still the best judge of what happens to my mind and body. When I feel it is time, I will take a call. It is going to be a tough call nevertheless. It is going to be tough because this is what I have been doing all my life. It is going to be difficult to suddenly hang my boots one day," Tendulkar said.

The champion batsman also said he has been thinking about the moment of retirement for some time.

"Of course, I have been (thinking about it). I am 39 plus and it is not abnormal for me to think of it. At that moment, I will go by what my heart says. At this moment, my heart says I am okay. But you will have to look at series by series."

One of his most cherished dreams was realised last year when India won the 50-over World Cup. Asked if he was game for competing in the 2015 edition, Tendulkar ruled out the possibility.

"At this stage, I don't think it is possible. I am being very honest and straightforward. I am going series by series because it is also about what the team feels and what I feel inside...whether I have the motivation to continue," he said.

Asked if he was pushing himself too hard to stay competitive and in top form at this stage of career, Tendulkar said, "I have always been pushing myself, for the last 22 years and more, to play for India. It had always been a dream.

There is no reason why I should not be pushing myself too hard. In fact, if I don't, then you should question me on why I am not pushing myself hard enough.

"When you play for India, you are playing a team sport. The team to move in the direction that the team wants you to move in. Everyone is striving to achieve something unique. Especially because it is a matter of pride and honour to play for India.

"Playing cricket for India is something I am not willing to make a compromise on. The day I stop playing, I do not want to feel that I did not give it my best shot," he added.

Tendulkar, however, refused to give a specific time frame for his retirement.

"Nobody decides in this manner. I do not know what is in store. I wish I knew. If I did know, I wouldn't have had to wait for 22 years to lift the World Cup. Perhaps, I would have done it in the first instance in Australia in 91-92 then.

"I am looking at it series by series. As long as I feel that I can deliver, I will continue playing. It also depends on what the team feels and whether I am motivated enough to continue being on top of the game."

Asked if his retirement would be from all forms of the game, he said, "It again depends on what my heart tells me then. I need not take a call right now."

Sunil Gavaskar had suggested that age has caught up with Tendulkar after he was bowled thrice in the recent home Test series against New Zealand, but he conceded that it was natural for others to raise such questions.

"Sunil Gavaskar has also said positive things about me. When there have been a lot of positive feedback as well, why keep harping only on the negative comments?" he asked.

"Ultimately, if I am out, I am out. I can't get stuck on one article about me and try to create something that the person is hoping to create out of it. I need to stay focused on the game and constantly keep finding ways to improve myself," he said.

"There are two different things - scoring runs and what I feel. For instance, if this three-wicket ordeal had happened when I was 25, no one would have questioned it. Incidentally, it happened when I am 39, so questions were raised. This is natural," he added.

Asked about another former captain Mohammed Azharuddin's comments that his reflexes have slowed down with age, Tendulkar said, "When I met Sir Don Bradman in 1998-99 on his 90th birthday, he told me that it is natural for a batsman to change after he is 30. I have played quite well for nine years after I turned 30. It is natural for any person to slow down as he grows older."

Tendulkar said he stays away from opinion of others about him to avoid getting affected.

"I have always stayed away from what people say about me, right from my younger days. My brother always told me that I need to keep away from all this to stay focused on the game. Irrespective of criticisms or praises that come your way, it is important to stay focused and keep improving your game."

Sachin Tendulkar played with 4 generations

Sky is the limit for achievers, and the legendary Cricketer Sachin Tendulkar has proved it yet again, as he has achieved everything in the game of cricket, with the latest being the only player who has played with four generations.

Though Team India was tensed about starting a season without The Wall of Indian Cricket, Rahul Dravid and Very Very Special Laxman, as they had announced their retirement ahead of the New Zealand series, with 10 matches to be played this season, Sachin Tendulkar added another feather to his cap becoming the only player to have played with 4 generations.

Since Sourav Ganguly, Anil Kumble, Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman had retired from international cricket, Sachin Tendulkar was the only batsman to has played for more than 23 years for India so far, as he has witnessed 4 generations of cricketers.

Strange but true, Sachin Tendulkar has played with Kapil Dev, Krishanmachari Srikkanth, Kiran More during his debut, after 23 years, Kris Srikkanth is currently the Chairman of Selectors, as Sachin Tendulkar still looks hungry for runs.

If that was the first generation of cricketers, Sachin has also played with other talented Indian cricketers like Ajay Jadeja, Mohammad Azharuddin, Sanjay Manjrekar, Navjot Singh Sidhu and others, as he was considered to be the rising star during those days.

Interestingly, all of them, have started a career as cricket experts, as they are talking about a player who was then his team mate, who is still playing for India with the dedication of a 16-year old.

Moreover, the Fantastic Four of Indian cricket, Sourav Ganguly, Rahul Dravid, VVS Laxman and Anil Kumble, who also started their cricketing careers during Sachin's time, have also retired from international cricket as VVS Laxman was the latest to join the list, having announced his retirement ahead of the New Zealand Test series, but Sachin Tendulkar is still going strong after 23 years since his debut.

If the former cricketers are stepping into cricket administration and entering media as cricket experts, the little master is still venturing the field as he is on a record-breaking spree as he still enjoys playing cricket for India.

Having played with Javagal Srinath, Venkatesh Prasad, Sunil Joshi and others, Sachin has also played with the next generation which features Virender Sehwag, Gautam Gambhir,Yuvraj Singh, Mahendra Singh Dhoni who have grown up watching the master play, as he was considered to be their role model.

However, Sachin still looks young, as his dedication and concentration is second to none having achieved the most impossible feat for others, scoring 100 international centuries and going strong.

While another bunch of cricketers Suresh Raina, Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane, Cheteshwar Pujara who have also started their international careers, were todlders when Sachin made his debut in 1989.

This marks another unique record which has added another feather to Sachin Tendulkar's cap as he has become the only cricketer to have played with 4 generations of cricketers and is still going strong.

Hats off Sachin! Way to go!