Tendulkar: I am still not satisfied

Sachin Tendulkar has almost every record under his belt but the iconic Indian cricketer says he is still not satisfied.
As the 'Maestro' holds possibily all the batting records of the game the 'Master Blaster' feels that he is still not satisfied with his career as he considers satisfaction the beginning of stagnation.

"When you win something or score a century you say you are happy, but not satisfied. Satisfaction is like engaging the handbrake and hoping a car moves forward," Tendulkar said in the latest issue of 'Sky Sports Magazine'.

"I am not yet satisfied with my career and what I have done, not at all. I feel the moment you start to feel satisfied, it is only natural that you begin to cool down and lose it," he explained.

Tendulkar reiterated that he is not even thinking of retirement despite completing more than two decades in international cricket.

"I still love cricket as much as ever. It is my job, but it is also my passion. Cricket remains in my heart and I don't need anything else to motivate me. I dreamt of playing for my country when I was young and it is still my dream, it is still fun for me," the 38-year-old right-hander said.

"Life without cricket is unthinkable," he added.

Tendulkar attributed his longevity and recent success to a stricter fitness regime, not playing Twenty20 Internationals and bowling partially.

"I am still learning about the game. I figure something out about my batting all the time and you have to keep your mind open. I learn all the time, those small adjustments with your footwork or bat swing that can help improve your game and I love doing that. You never know everything which mentally makes you feel so good. That is the best form of preparation", Tendulkar said.

Recalling India's recent World Cup triumph after a gap of 28 years, the ‘Little Master’ said when the defining moment of his career finally arrived, he wasn't on the middle of the field wielding his bat, nor was he present in the balcony watching his teammates.

Instead, he was on his own in the dressing room, hands clasped together, eyes closed as he prayed in silence.

He only knew India had won the World Cup when he heard that cathartic roar reverberate around the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai as his captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni hit the winning runs against Sri Lanka.

Tendulkar described the experience as "a different kind of feeling, a high, like living on a different planet, it felt as though I was flying."

He had waited 22 years for this moment.

For all his personal records – highest run getter in both ODI’s and Tests as well as for the highest number of centuries in both formats, Tendulkar wanted something tangible, a trophy to lift, a medal to wear, and to win something as part of the Indian team.

Tendulkar had played in the previous five World Cups, but had fallen short each time. The experience left him feeling "shattered beyond words."

His fellow players too laud the way Tendulkar has sustained himself at the top level.

"It has been fascinating watching the changes in his approach," said teammate Rahul Dravid. "From being a master blaster, he is now a mistake-proof batsman", he added.

While he can't control his body ageing, Tendulkar has increasingly sought to exert more control over his mind.

"You have to be still in your mind, and keep it blank.It is also important to avoid any needless anger," he said.

"While growing up, I picked up a lot from my father, who never lost his temper, and I have always tried to follow that, so I try not to ever lose my cool."

This impenetrable mask doesn't slip away from the cameras either.

"I have never seen him lose his temper in the dressing room, he has never thrown his bat around even when given out wrongly," said Indian pace spearhead Zaheer Khan.

"Maybe he will have an extra bowl of ice cream, and that is when you realise he is pretty upset”, he added.

Please enable JavaScript to view the comments powered by Disqus.Powered by Disqus