There will be no lack of commitment from me: Sachin

Tendulkar sends outu00a0a messege to his fans who expect more -- "From my side, there won't be a lack of commitment"

That Sachin Tendulkar is no sucker for big celebrations could be manifested in the fact that he was in his Gwalior hotel room not long after helping India to one of their most memorable wins in one-day international cricket.

On a day that saw him become the first batsman to score a double hundred in one-day international cricket (a brand of the game which began a good two years before his birth) he was as normal as ever. Quite clearly, Tendulkar's ability to keep his feet firmly on the ground is as admirable as his cricketing skills.



Excerpts from a telephonic chat:

How do you celebrate by yourself on days like these?
I don't do much. I am just sitting in my room right now and we have to pack our bags. I've not done anything (meaning celebrating).

If there's a message to people who expect greater things from you, what would it be?
All I can say is, the passion is still there. I will always go out and give my best and whatever has to happen will happen. From my side, there won't be a lack of commitment.

So, do you feel on top of the world?
I don't know. Honestly, I've not thought about it. It is difficult to explain right now. I've got a lot of text messages and have responded, but it's (double hundred) not sunk in yet.

What's the most special message you received today?
(Laughs) They (well wishers) have various things to say and I respect each and every message. Some may use 50 words; some might say it in two words, but the appreciation is most important to me.

Does the double hundred seem special because it has come in your 21st year of international cricket?
Well, the season has been a good one. I have enjoyed everything.... right from the first tour of the season to Sri Lanka.

Did you surprise yourself with this knock?
I was striking the ball well, but I didn't think of 200. By hitting the ball, you don't start thinking of a double century. All I did was just continue with the bat swing and flow. Even after scoring 100, I didn't think of it. When I got close to 180 or so and there were eight to nine overs go, that's when I realised I have a chance and from the other end, Yusuf Pathan and M S Dhoni played some fabulous shots. I just looked to rotate the strike and hit boundaries in between.

Dhoni's innings (68 off 35 balls) was quite amazing...
Absolutely. He and Yusuf (Pathan) played some incredible shots and it was fantastic to see such power-packed hitting... just superb.

You were captain when Saeed Anwar scored 194 at Chennai in 1997. What did you think of 194 as a score? Did you think that it was incredible and impossible?
One hundred and ninety four is a huge score, but at that stage, I was just thinking about the match. Records are meant to be broken and I felt someday, somebody will do something like this.

But not yourself?
You can't go out and say, 'today I am going to score a double century.' It doesn't happen that way. I certainly didn't feel that way in the morning. I hit a couple of shots and felt good and did not look too much ahead. At that stage, it is about watching the ball as closely as possible and finding the gaps.

The last three years have been critical, hugely successful...
Yes, after the 2007 World Cup, right from the next tour to Bangladesh. Then we went to Ireland and fared well against South Africa. There has been a lot of enthusiasm, passion and I have enjoyed every moment.