Tendulkar rules out retirement for now

Batting legend Sachin Tendulkar today indicated that he would not retire for now. "As long as there is a reason to wake up with a reason in the morning, it makes sense in continuing (playing cricket).

The day I don't enjoy wielding bat in my hands, I will think otherwise. But that moment hasn't come as yet. When I will get that feeling, I will confirm on that," he said after receiving the Castrol Test Cricketer of 2011 at an awards function here.

His younger contemporaries like Sourav Ganguly, Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman have hung up their boots from international cricket.

Sachin Tendulkar. Photo: Pradeep Dhivar

Receiving Special Award for notching up a double ton in a ODI match against Sri Lanka, Virender Sehwag said his next target was to play 100 tests for the country.

In a lighter vein, Sehwag said superstition did not apply to him when he approached double ton in any form of cricket as he did not give any room for the bowlers to think much.

"If the ball is there to hit along the fence or over it, I do that without much thinking," he said.

However, Sehwag said he was a bit superstitious when Tendulkar neared his first double ton in one-day internationals. "We all thought even if Sachin gets out on 190s, we will all stand up and clap anyhow. But when he got there, all players and sports staff gathered at the players balcony and applauded his achievement. That feeling cannot be expressed," he said.

Receiving Performance Under Pressure Award, Gautam Gambhir said last two T20 World Cups were disappointing for Team India after winning the first.

However, the team would try to give 100 per cent and play well in the competition.

"I am not sure of winning the cup. It is not in our hands, but will put up a good show in the upcoming T20 World Cup to be played in Sri Lanka," he said.

On lifetime achievement awardee Ajit Wadekar, Tendulkar said the former Indian captain was a fantastic coach who knew the art of mentally preparing before he walked out on the field.