New Delhi: Great Indian batsman Sachin Tendulkar in an exclusive interview to Times Now said that his retirement would depend on his form and motivation level.
“I am 39 and I don't think I have plenty of cricket left in me. But it depends on my frame of mind and my physical ability to deliver. When I feel that I am not delivering what is needed, and then I will re-look at the scheme of things. I am already 39 and no one expects me to go on playing forever. I will go with what my heart says. There are two different things -- scoring runs and what I feel.”
“When I feel it is time, I will take a call. It is going to be a tough call nevertheless. It is going to be tough because this is what I have been doing all my life. It is going to be difficult to suddenly hang my boots one day,” Sachin told Times Now.
Sachin said that even though it is not abnormal for him to contemplate retirement since he is 39; he feels that that right now he is just going by what his heart is saying and will not take an impulsive decision.
On being asked once he decides on it calling will it from all the formats of the game, he said, "It again depends on what my heart tells me then. I need not take a call right now. When I play in November, I will reassess things."
Tendulkar’s recent form against New Zealand at home has drawn widespread criticisms and the pundits of the game have raised questions about his reflexes and technique.
Sachin decided not make too much out of it and said that it was obvious for people to ask questions. “This three-wicket ordeal had happened when I was 25, no one would have questioned it. Incidentally, it happened when I am 39, so questions were raised. This is natural. But I am still the best judge of what happens to my mind and body. When I feel it is time, I will take a call. It is going to be a tough call nevertheless,” added the Master Blaster.
Sachin also said that after playing cricket for over two decades he has never thought of the moment when he would retire but feels that it will be a very tough one.
“I don't know. It is going to be hard because I haven't experienced anything close to what I might go through when I retire. I cannot relate this moment with any other moment in my life. It will be a tough call,” added the 39 year batsman.
By Indian Sports News Network