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[dhruvdeepak]

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/site/Story/65762/I+have+played+with+a+lot+of+passion:+Sachin.html?page=3

I have played with a lot of passion: Sachin
Sharda Ugra
 October 10, 2009



Just before he began a TV interview, Sachin Tendulkar requested the two technicians sitting behind the camera in front of him, not to move. If they did, it was possible he would get distracted and look at them rather than his interviewer. The men nodded and the conversation began. Something else also happened for the next 45 minutes. Seventeen other people in the room behind the glare of lights on Tendulkar's side also froze - out of instant obedience.

It is what Tendulkar has done over twenty years of international cricket: striking the ball, scoring the runs, giving India floods of  joy, bursts of hope and a renewed shower of spontaneous respect.

Just before Tendulkar's 20th international season began, he spoke to India Today about his international career, his opinions on the modern game and his hunger and competitiveness for cricket.

A tri-series in Sri Lanka and the Champions Trophy was to begin his season which will be followed by a seven-match ODI series against Australia. The Sri Lankans will then arrive for a Tests, ODI and T20 series just when November 15 will mark 20 years since Tendulkar's Test debut in Karachi. It was the only time he confessed he felt like he did not belong,"I felt this is not my cup of tea", he said to India Today. After that first Test though, Tendulkar was able to find his confidence and then invented and create a personal path which changed the way India follows and plays its cricket.

After the Australians will arrive to begin the series on October 25 and when November changes India's weather and season, all the time and all the talk will focus on Tendulkar. Tendulkar himself will focus on his batting, his fitness and his concentration on every match day.

What has been as remarkable and singular as the man's cricket, full of sparkling strokeplay and entrenched consistency, is been his strength of mind and high threshold for physical pain.

Answering a question about a recent injury, Tendulkar held up his left hand and showed his twisted-looking index finger that had broken following a catch he took in the first Test in New Zealand. He did not get an x-ray done in at the time, "I'd said anyway I was going to play" and played with the broken finger for three months, getting it checked only when his hand refused to stop hurting weeks into the IPL.

Looking fitter, leaner and ready for the twentieth season, Tendulkar brushed off the unusual damage to the finger, shrugged off the episode and talked to India Today about his past and cricket's future, his dreams for Indian cricket and the one-day international game and his life as cricketer, superstar, parent.

Excerpts from the interview:

Q. November will become the 20th year in international cricket for you. Only Gary Sobers has played non-stop international cricket for that long a period. Do you remember it all? Does it feel that long?
A. I feel that time definitely flies. I remember on my first tour Kapil Dev challenged me, he said 'you play for ten years.' It was a healthy bet which I won. When I completed ten years, Kapil Dev was the coach so I caught him and said I've won our bet. I'm glad today I'm almost very close to doubling that. I remember things clearly, even though time has flown. I remember most of my dismissals and I don't think any cricketer forgets that...I remember the great shots too.

[please use the link to view the rest of the interview]

[ganavk]

he still has that passion for the game after all these years and what a great role model he has been for all sportsman let alone for cricketers from all over the world.

[dhruvdeepak]

he still has that passion for the game after all these years and what a great role model he has been for all sportsman let alone for cricketers from all over the world.

why only sportsmen?

forever the mantra has been to be like a tendulkar, not a kambli or a laxman or an azza or anyone else; keep working hard and stay humble