For Tendulkar, 50 is just a number
Centurion: He doesn’t hide the fact that he is happy but for Sachin Tendulkar, “50 is just another number.”
“Saturday was my father’s (late Ramesh Tendulkar) birthday. I dedicate this century to him. As for myself, I am happy and OK to have scored runs. I really don’t know how to express my feelings,” Tendulkar told reporters at the end of the day’s play which saw him reach 50th Test century.
A team-man to the core, Tendulkar feels that the Indian team should be able to save the Test match.
“I believe in positive thinking. If you remain positive, you will find positive things happening,” he said.
Asked about the secret behind his stupendous form, he said, “It’s a state of mind. For the last two years, I have been doing well. I have been really enjoying my batting. I believe doing well is a habit and a good habit. So if you have this good habit, you shouldn’t let it go.”
Tendulkar was also happy that the team has batted well in the second innings.
“It was extremely important for us to do well and send a strong message. The wicket was difficult to bat on in the first innings. We needed to remain positive and confident.”
Asked about the pressure that was around him with the entire nation waiting for his 50th Test ton with bated breath, the legend feels that it was more of a media creation.
“I wasn’t under any kind of pressure. It was you guys who laid the foundation stone of pressure. I just built around that foundation stone,” he said in jest.
A champion in every sense of the term, he was gracious when he praised his rival Jacques Kallis for getting his maiden double hundred in Test cricket.
“He (Jacques) is a great player. He has been the backbone of South African batting and what he has achieved is terrific.”
Tendulkar also thanked his millions of fans back home in India and pledged to continue enthralling them with many more such moments.
“I thank all my fans who have supported me in all these years. I promise that I would continue to perform and make you all happy. I hope that I will keep getting your support in future also.”