Sachin: “I have never tried to compare myself to anyone else”

One of the greatest batsmen of all times, Sachin Tendulkar turns 42 on April 24. Even in retirement, his example of sportsmanship and excellence continues to inspire. Some pearls of wisdom to hit you for a six…

“I get 0.5 seconds to react to a ball, sometimes even less than that. I can’t be thinking of what XYZ has said about me. I need to surrender myself to my natural instincts. My subconscious mind knows exactly what to do. It is trained to react. At home, my family doesn’t discuss media coverage.”

“If efforts to do social work are couched in selfish motives, then they will die a premature death. Why would my efforts get politicised? I have values I inherited from my father. He helped many. Anyone, even a postman knocking on our door, would get a glass of water and some sweets.”

“Isn’t cricket supposed to be a team sport? I feel people should decide first whether cricket is a team game or an individual sport.”

“I do not want to see empty classrooms, empty libraries. I do not want to see cattle grazing on fields meant to be cricket or football grounds.”

“With me, the match starts much, much earlier than the actual match.”