I  want to keep batting….Jab Tak Hai Jaan !!

'I still remember a 16-year-old Sachin playing his first match against us in Peshawar. He hit a couple of sixes off Abdul Quadir. Even at that time you could say that the guy had lot of talent and over the years the way he has carried himself, he has been a great ambassador of cricket for India .’ This is what former Pakistan cricket captain Intikhab Alam observed recently when he was in Kolkata.

Reading Intikhab Alam's feelings about Tendulkar in a national daily I was reminded of my own letter, which appeared in The Indian Post, edited by Vinod Mehta, a broadsheet daily published from Mumbai in the late 80's. Text of the letter was as follows -:

“Since teenagers are too old to do the things little children do and not old enough to do the things elders do; they do the things nobody else does. It was precisely what Sachin Tendulkar had done when he made his debut in international cricket way back in 1989 in Pakistan. In a limited over cricket match blasting Abdul Quadir, he had plundered 26 runs in a single over.”

Sachin Tendulkar at Mumbai Press Club

I am also reminded of the moments when I spoke with Sachin in the very first year of this century i.e. 2001.

This was a telephonic talk , when he was half way down the TIME of his 'cricket career' . To be accurate, it was April 20, 2001. The occasion was him turning 28, which also coincided with his completing a YUG (12 years is equivalent to a YUG) playing cricket at the international level . On this special occasion I had been trying over phone for an appointment with him. Every time my call to him at his residence was taken by his better half. Every time, Sachin happened to be out of station and when I could finally catch him on the phone, he was preparing to go out of station yet again. That was the time when I requested him to spare fifteen-twenty minutes over the phone itself, to speak about his Cricket. And he agreed. Excerpts of the talk with Tendulkar ....

How does it feel to have played for the nation for a YUG ? Standing here how do you look back at your career ?

It feels great to have played for the country for over a decade. It is a long period indeed. I must tell you that I have enjoyed my cricket all these years. I always wanted to play cricket and I am happy that I am playing. My dream of playing cricket at the highest level has come true.

Sachin, 12 years is a long period. How do you look at your achievements? What have you gained?

Ever since, I started playing, it has been nothing but gain in every sense of the word. Playing a game that I am so deeply passionate about; playing for 12 years and playing at the highest level. What can be greater than playing for one's country. On my part, I have put in a lot of hard work and cricket has amply rewarded me.

What do you have to say about your contribution to Cricket ? How do you look at it?

It is not for me to talk about that. I have done my level best on the ground as a batsman, as a bowler, as a fielder and also as a captain. You may say that is my contribution to cricket. But at the end of the day, it is for others to think and evaluate my contribution to the game of cricket. Really it is not for me to tell.

After wearing the much coveted India CAP in November, 1989, did you ever think that your cricket career would span these many years and that you would still be going strong?

At the time of making my debut, I had taken that as an opportunity to perform and get in the reckoning for the future. I did not create any kind of pressure on me. I just decided to go and play my natural game. I think I succeeded in that. Then I decided to perform season by season. I have been doing well and being guided by this thought only, I have come this far.

How has your family contributed to your success ? What has been the role of Mr. Ajit, your brother, in making a successful cricketer out of Sachin Tendulkar ?

Without the support of my elder brother Ajit and my parents and every other member of the family, it would not have been possible for me to test success after success in world cricket. I am indebted to them. Also, my wife has been very supportive. After every piece of my success she told me that there were more to come. She has been encouraging and guiding me all these years.

Over the years, your teammates Dravid, Kumble, Kambli, Ranade etc. and your guru and gurukanya (coach's daughter) Kalpana have spoken highly about you. They all have wished more success for you. Would you like to share your feelings in this regard?

Regards to my coach Ramakart Achrekar. Without his teachings and guidance Sachin Tendulkar would not have been around. I am also thankful to my teammates and friends. All have been helpful to me. They are my well wishers and have really backed me to perform. I am extremely thankful to them.

The whole Nation is wishing Happy Birthday Sachin . How do you take that ?

I am well aware of that. Cricket lovers and my admirers, all have been praying for me and wishing me to perform. It is the good wishes of the whole country that my cricket career has become so successful. I am touched by their constant support and good wishes. They have really inspired me to perform.

That is where my brief interview came to an end and now, as I am poised to post it on my BLOG, news has already trickled in that Sachin scored his 80^th first class century in Mumbai in their Ranji Trophy quarter final against Baroda. It is as if Sachin's heart has cried one more time to the whole world – I want to keep batting…….Jab Tak Hai Jaan !