Sachin Tendulkar addresses the
media in Mumbai a day after he
retired from International cricket after paying his 200th and final Test, at the Wankhede Stadium against the West Indies. Catch all the highlights from the Master Blaster's press conference today:
Sachin Tendulkar has entered and the 49 cameras are all focussing on the Master Blaster as he makes his way to the podium.
Here is what the
Master Blaster had to say: Playing international cricket for 24 years was the most important thing of my life. Cricket has been my life, it was oxygen, I have played for 30 years. 75 per cent of my life has been cricket. It has been just 24 hours since i retired, I need at least 24 days to decide about my future (smiles).
I have overcome various challenges in the past 24 years due to my overwhelming desire to play for India. Still has not sunk in that I'll not play cricket anymore… maybe I'll be playing
somewhere. No regrets in leaving the game, felt it
was the right time to quit. It was a very enjoyable
journey.
There were loads of thoughts about retirement in
my career. I made it a point that whenever I
decide, I'd let you (the media) know.
I had requested BCCI to keep my farewell match
in Mumbai so that my mother can see me
playing. I wanted it to be a surprise, she came to
know from you. In my heart, I will always be
playing and praying for India.
After playing for 24 years, you have to appreciate
that there were many injuries and these were not
easy to overcome. Somewhere your body sends
you a message - enough of this physical load. It
was becoming an taxing effort - to do training
sessions.
In any field, as an Indian, the country comes first.
Sachin to NDTV: "Yesterday, I said Bharat Ratna is
for my mother for all the sacrifices she has made
right from my birth. Bharat Ratna is dedicated to
millions of mothers in India for all the sacrifices
they have made. I am humbled and honoured
that this award has been bestowed on me for my
contribution to cricket. His contribution is
immense, whatever he has done isn't in front of
thousands of people.
I congratulate Prof Rao for
winning Bharat Ratna, great honour to be named
with him. His contribution is immense, whatever
he has done isn't in front of thousands of people.
West Indies has world class players, they're a
terrific side. Sometimes things don't work out for
a team, so that has what happened for them."
I like interacting with young players. May not be
public, but would like to help the youngsters and
share my thoughts with the next generation.
I will always play for India from my heart. The
wicket is my temple. It gave me everything.
Whatever I am, I have achieved because I spent
time between the 22 yards. It was quite emotional
when I touched the pitch, don't think I was
emotional when I took the decision to retire. Was
emotional when the players gave me a send-off or
when I spoke to the wicket.
Because of coach Achrekar's respects, I have
reached till this level. Because of coach
Achrekar's respects, I have reached till this level.
The relationship between my first coach and
myself cannot be explained. Achrekar sir called
me yesterday and said, 'well done'.
Injuries were an emotional time for me. To
overcome injuries and come back wasn't easy.
Each time there were different goals in front of
me. It is very important to respect nature. My
tennis elbow took 4 and a half months to heal.
Music has been my constant companion. It is not
easy to single out my favourite SD Burman song.
When I woke up this morning at 6:50 am and
then realized I don't have to go for practice.. I go
according to body clock, I made myself a cup of
tea. Had nice breakfast with my wife. I was a
relaxed morning. I got a lot of good wishes. The
Ashes is going to be exciting, the way I saw
Mitchel Johnson bowling in India, I would say it
is exciting. My first ton at Old Trafford, and my
hundred in Chennai, chasing 374 are my two
favourite moments against England.
(In Marathi): My brother Ajit and I shared this
dream, both of us used to represent India. Ajit
seemed relieved and relaxed yesterday. The
emotions that I felt yesterday were shared by Ajit
as well.
I was in tears yesterday and I didn't want anyone
to see me like that.
The beauty about my family is they never lost
balance. Whether I got 100 or 15-20, my father -
mother had encouraging words for me. Even
yesterday, my mother told me I've kept sweets in
front of god. That tradition continues and will
never stop.
My parents reaction to me when I got
back from any tour was not related to how I
performed.
My mother was extremely happy to see me play.
Had requested the MCA to keep a room for me at
the guesthouse but my mother preferred to sit
and watch every ball. When I went to meet her in
the president's box, I could see it in her eyes.
As a father I would say, leave Arjun alone and let
him enjoy the game. If I had that pressure, I
would have a pen in my hand and not a cricket
bat as my father was in the field of literature. He
is madly in love with cricket and that is what
matters - I don't want to put pressure on him.
The best moment in my career was when we won
the 2011 World Cup. Yesterday was also special,
the way the people responded. I want to say a big
thank you to everyone. My most disappointing
moment was when we lost the 2003 World Cup
final, after coming so close to the title.
In a team sport, it doesn't matter who performs
as long as we win. All the guys, I have thoroughly
enjoyed being part of the team Bhubaneshwar
wasn't even born when I started playing for India.
Jokingly, I've told them to greet me by saying
'Good Morning Sir' when I walk into the dressing
room. Fun to share my experiences not just
because I was senior. I did that when I was the
junior-most player as well. It is about talking
cricket.
I have shared my experiences with the current
team, my observations on their batting. It is all
about talking, breathing cricket. It is about
cricket. I read what is written about me and who
has written them.
You reach a stage where you
realize whose advise to take. I associate and
interact with people who encourage me and make
me a better player.
