Mumbai: Dedicating the Bharat Ratna conferred to him by the government to all the mothers of India, Master Blaster Sachin Tendulkar, who retired from cricket on Saturday, said that he was humbled to have been chosen for the highest civilian award in the country.
"Yesterday I said that, this award (Bharat Ratna) is for my mother, because of all the sacrifices she made for me. As a child, you don't understand life.. when you grow up, you realise all these things. It is not just for my mother, but there are millions and millions of mothers in India who sacrifice many things for their children. I would like to share my award with them," said the 40-year-old batting maestro who retired after breaking almost all the cricket records.
"I'm humbled and honoured to be given the Bharat Ratna. The award belongs to the entire nation, I'd say."
The Little Master also congratulated eminent scientist Prof CNR Rao, who was also conferred the Bharat Ratna along with him, and said it to be an honour to get the coveted award along with Prof Rao.
"At this stage, I would like to congratulate Prof CNR Rao for getting the Bharat Ratna. It is an honour to get the award with him, his contribution to the field of science is immense. It's only that cricket is played in front of thousands of people while scientists like him worked quietly."
Right time to say goodbye
Tendulkar said that till now it hasn't struck to him that he won't be playing again. “Cricket has been my life. In my 40 years life, I have been playing cricket since the last 10 years...so that's nearly 75 per cent of my life. But I have no regrets about hanging my boots after playing for 24 years. I think this was the right time to stop playing. My body wasn't taking the load and I felt it was the perfect time to leave the game," said Sachin, adding that he would remain associated with the game in some form or the other.
"I was still enjoying cricket. I have always said the day I felt I should stop playing, I would inform you. I got that feeling, because after 24 years, you have to appreciate I had many injuries, not easy to overcome. You reach a stage when your body gives you a message, enough of this physical load. The body requires rest. The body is not able to take more load consistently," he said.
Give me at least 24 days to relax
"Cricket has been my life. 75 per cent of my life has been cricket, so there will be some association with the game, maybe not in the immediate future. Still, it is only 24 hours since my retirement, give me at least 24 days to relax. Then I will see what to do," he said.
The champion batsman answered questions ranging from his best playing moments to his tearful retirement during the hour-long interaction with the media.
Just thanked the game which made me an icon
On being asked why he touched the pitch after the game, Sachin said, “The 22 yards game me everything in life. I knew never ever in my life I would get to do that again. And that is where my life started. It's like a temple for me. I wanted to say thank you to cricket. I just thanked cricket for everything that I got in my life," he said.
Winning 2011 World Cup my best moment
When asked about his best moment in his career, Tendulkar said that winning the 2011 World Cup winning team was ultimate. "When we won the World Cup two years ago. I had to wait 22 years for it, that has to be a special moment. Yesterday, the way people responded, I don't know how to react to that, I want to say a big 'thank you' to everyone, so that was also special," he said, adding that the 2003 World Cup, when reached the final but lost, was most disappointing.
It was an emotional moment, I was in tears
Describing his last day, Sachin said the way players gave him the send off made him very emotional. "It was an emotional moment, I remember when I was thinking about retirement I don't think I was very emotional because I knew it was the right decision even though my family was. I became emotional with the way players gave me a send off. The thought that I won't be able to represent India again made me emotional," he added.
"The first moment when I went on the wicket and stood between the 22 yards, I realised this was the last time I was in front of a packed stadium as part of the Indian team. That made me quite emotional, that I wouldn't have a bat in my hand, playing for India," he said.
"While I walked back to the dressing room, I didn't look up when shaking hands with many of the West Indies team members, because I was in tears," he added.
I requested BCCI to hold my last match in Mumbai
Sachin said that he had requested BCCI to hold his last match in Mumbai as he wanted his mother Rajni Tendulkar to see him playing. "I requested BCCI to keep my last match in Mumbai because my mother had never seen me play. I wanted that to be a surprise for her. But then she got to know of it through media. This match became really special for me," he said.
"My mother was extremely happy (with my 74). It was difficult for her to travel. She came and watched me for a while, I had taken the precaution of asking the MCA to keep a room for me in Garware guesthouse but she didn't need it," Tendulkar added.
I am what I am because of my family
"My father and mother always encouraged. I was able to perform well because of the guidance I got. My mother kept sweets in front of god. She has been doping it ever since I started playing and that continues. Their reaction to me was never related to way I performed. It was about parents and their child. The beauty of my family was that whether I scored a 15 or 100, they had encouraging words for me," he said.
"As I said in my speech it was a dream that we (me and my brother Ajit) lived together. I was representing the country and it's difficult to put into words what he has done for me. Yesterday, he was emotional but wasn't showing it to me. At the same time, he was also relieved and relaxed because the way I retired and the way people responded, you can't plan it. That's decided by God and I pray to God that he showed me a day after which I cannot ask for anymore. Ajit had the same feeling. We didn't talk too much but from whatever we spoke, he was relieved that everything had happened well," he said.
Life post retirement
"It's a nice thought that I need to be involved with cricket and it is not just because I am retiring. Even before that I have spent time with youngsters. I like interacting with players. It teaches me about the game. I have enjoyed those interactions even though they were not done publicly," he said.
On how he spent his first post-retirement morning, Tendulkar said, "When I woke up this morning, 6:50 in the morning, I realised I don't have to quickly have a shower. I had tea, enjoyed breakfast with my wife, it was a relaxed morning. Lot of guys had sent me text messages. I spent lot of time thanking them. Morning was pretty much relaxed."
Please leave Arjun alone
"I would ask you as a father to leave him alone. You can't see just because since his father has performed in a certain way, he also has to perform the same way. My father was a professor, so why didn't you ask him why your son hasn't taken up the pen. Arjun is madly in love with cricket, that is what matters, performances - whether they happen or not, I don't want to put any pressure on him, and I hope you don't either," he said.
I thoroughly enjoyed playing with new generation
"Talking about the new generation, all the guys, I've thoroughly enjoyed being part of the team. Bhuvneshwar (Kumar) was not even born when I started playing, I have jokingly told some of them that when I come into the dressing room, they should say 'Good morning Sir'. I have shared my experiences with them, my observation of their batting," he said.
