These are exciting times for Indian cricket: Tendulkar

Sachin Tendulkar is relishing the success of the Indian cricket team and admits that in his 20-years association with the game, the time has never been as exciting as it has been in the last three-four years.

The master batsman, who has 85 international hundreds - 42 in Tests and 43 in ODIs - said team's victory in New Zealand was indeed satisfying.

"It is good for Rahul (Dravid) and myself to be part of a winning team here. We've been here on earlier tours, but it wasn't so good. But it is better late than never.

"It is exciting time for Indian cricket. It has been quite satisfying. The Test victory is very special. We have been able to achieve that in the last few years wherever we have travelled.

"I am glad that we made it possible here as well," said Tendulkar, who had a strenuous net session at the Eden Park.

Tendulkar attributed team's heady performance to its all-round capability. "It has been all-round performance that has seen us do consistently well.

"We just needed a break and that break I thought we got in Zimbabwe (2001) which came after a long time," he said. "After that we went to the West Indies and won a Test there. We went to England and won. We went to South Africa, we won. We did that in Australia as well.

"So wherever we have travelled we have created an impact. That is what the nation was looking for and we are glad we have done it," Tendulkar added.

Speaking about the ongoing series, the Mumbaikar said, "It has been fantastic so far and we are looking forward to the rest of the tour. If we win the Test series, it would make the tour better."

However the disappointment of the Indian Premier League being moved out of India still lingered. "It is always special to play cricket in India. I remember when we played in Mumbai, it was special. Obviously, in the other parts also we got some support. But it is the home and away matches that adds a lot of excitement.

"I am sure people enjoyed it last year and this year also they would have loved to have witness some terrific games," said Tendulkar, who leads Mumbai Indians.

With the majority of the cricketers returning home after a 45-day sojourn of New Zealand on April 9, Tendulkar felt that it would be tough on them to spend more time away from their families.

"It would force us to spend probably another 45 days away from the family. This will be quite tough on every one of us. But people want to see this tournament happen. I am glad it is happening," he said.