New Delhi, Sep 4: As speculation is rife that Sachin Tendulkar may quit the game after playing his 200th Test, the senior India batsman today said he was in no rush to announce his retirement from international cricket.
"I don't think at this stage I need to do that," said Tendulkar when asked about his retirement.
"Where is the rush," he further added in an interview to Zee News today.
"I have this formula, don't jump forward, this is how I have approached my career."
As BCCI arranged a home Test series against the West Indies before the South Africa tour, it raised speculations that it has been done to give Tendulkar a chance to reach the milestone at home and give him a grand farewell.
In an incredible 24-year international career, Tendulkar became the highest run getter (15837 runs at an average of 53.86) with a record 51 centuries in world cricket.
He had announced his retirement from ODIs late last year, having played 463 games, amassing a record 18,426 runs, including 49 centuries at an average of 44.83.
One of the finest exponents of the game, Tendulkar is revered by billions of fans as "God of cricket" but the Mumbaikar said he is just a cricketer who "make mistakes" unlike the almighty.
"Mein Bhagwan nahi hoon, I just play cricket, ooper wale ki blessings hain, ab tak jo bhi meri life mein aaya uska shukriya. We all make mistakes, agar mein mistakes na karta toh kabhi out hi nahi hota. I just play my game," Tendulkar said.
Asked how he prepares ahead of a match, Tendulkar said, "I prepare a bit before my match, in general life mental preparation is required.
Asked how he managed to hold people's trust for so long, when the game is mired in so many controversies, Tendulkar said he has kept his life simple.
"Since my school, we had simple celebrations, whenever I achieved anything, Mithai was offered to God, my brother always said let people talk about the match and you move forward. I have a balanced lifestyle," he said.
Tendulkar went through a tough phase when his father Ramesh suddenly passed away in 1999 when he was playing in the World Cup in England.
But Tendulkar hardly got any time to mourn the loss as he flew back and cracked 140 against Kenya to inspire India to a victory, just three days later.
"I do miss my father, I lost my father in 1999, it's been long time now, so many things have happened since then and I miss him. But I have some wonderful moments and I cherish. There are times when I rewind, I remember him but some things can't be changed," he said.
Asked about his dream car, Tendulkar said, "When I was young my dream car was a Maruti 800 at that time."
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