Arjun Tendulkar named in Mumbai's Under-14 probables list

A month after he scored his first century, Arjun Tendulkar has made it to the under-14 probables list for the off season training camp by the Mumbai Cricket Association.

Arjun, son of legendary batsman Sachin Tendulkar, had slammed the first century of his blooming career in the MCA's Under-14 selection trials held at the Cross Maidan in Mumbai on May 26.

The 12-year old had made 124 to help Khar Gymkhana beat Goregaon Centre by an innings and 21 runs and enter the final of the tournament. He had hit 14 boundaries and a six during his knock.

Arjun, who is a left hander unlike his father, had made his debut at the national level in January last year in the Cadence Trophy in Pune. He has been in news since then. In the same tournament this year, he made 65 off 39 balls against PCMC Varroc Vengsarkar CA.

Arjun, who also bowls left-arm pace, impressed everyone with his bowling prowess when he finished with figures of eight for 22 that helped Dhirubhai Ambani International School beat Jamnabai Narsee School in November 2011.

Born on 24th September 1999, Arjun is often seen going to the stadium to watch his father play and enthusiastically cheering for him.

List of U-14 Probables: Arjun Tendulkar, Akash Sawla, Dhruva Vedak, Bhupen Lalwani, Varun Joijode, Riddesh Sawant, Sidak Singh, Aman Sharma, Azim Shaikh, Prithvi Shaw, Shivam Mehrotra, Kaustubh Dipte, Sarvesh Rahate, Agni Chopra, Mukund Sardar, Jay Dave, Rahul Dube, Mehtab Ansari, Suraj Patel, Tanush Kotian, Aftab Ansari, Akash Malbari, Prathamesh Chavan (W.K.), Ojas Pandit, Aditya Jha, Om Jadhav, Samit Pawar, Hashir Dafedar, Sagar Chabria, Rishikesh Padwal (W.K.), Mahesh Patil, Jairaj Deshmukh.

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Sachin amazes me on many counts: Dennis Lillee

Australian great Dennis Lillee on Monday recalled his first meeting with Sachin Tendulkar and said on a lighter note that he did the game a "favour" by rejecting the batsman when he went to the MRF Pace Foundation with an ambition to become a fast bowler in the late 80s.

Hoping to become a pacer, Tendulkar went to the MRF Pace Foundation in 1987. But his ambitions were crushed by the foundation's coaching director, Lillee who advised the then young Tendulkar to focus on his batting instead of bowling.

Asked about his first encounter with Tendulkar, Lillee, who is bidding adieu to the MRF Pace Foundation after 25 years of service, said: "I actually feel very embarrassed because I rejected him as a fast bowler.

"I think I did him and the game of cricket a favour. I am just joking, but I will never forget (the incident).""When he came back a year later he was just 15 years or so. I was there behind the nets. The first ball Sachin faced he hit it behind the bowler for a four. Sachin flicked the next ball for a four as well. The bowlers were not able to get Sachin and he was hitting them out of the park.

"When he was still batting with about 48 runs or so from 12 balls, I asked (the then head coach) T A Sekar who is this boy. Sekar laughed and replied you should know him, he is the boy whom you rejected when he wanted to become a fast bowler," he added.Lillee said it was his fortune to have spotted Tendulkar before he made his foray into international cricket."I was fortunate enough to see him before he made it to Test cricket and lucky enough to recognise him as the world's best.

"Sachin is a very humble man. He is the greatest player and batsman to have ever built played. He just amazes me on many counts, his eye for the game, hunger for the game and continued success," said the 62-year-old former cricketer.

Asked about the fast bowling talents he witnessed during his stint at the MRF Foundation, Lillee rated Zaheer Khan as the best, just ahead of cricketer-turned-match referee Javagal Srinath."To me number one is Zaheer Khan and number two is Srinath. As for Venkatesh Prasad I had always thought that he is going to be a Test player," he said.

"Irfan (Pathan), RP Singh and S Sreesanth were promising but sometimes I used to be disappointed with Munaf (Patel). Munaf is one bowler who used to bowl at 150 plus but someone had suggested him to slow down. To me he had some natural gifts. Not many people are bestowed with such attributes."

Lillee also said that he was never on the same page with the Indian Cricket Board (BCCI).The Australian said that he loves to do things his way and that might be a reason why the BCCI never utilised his knowledge in the best possible manner."It was disappointing for me personally. Got to remember that I have the same relationship with the Cricket Australia too. I do not do anything unless I do them my way. I do not want other people pushing things on me," Lillee insisted.

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Hope no one makes me shout in Rajya Sabha: Sachin Tendulkar

In an exclusive interview to NDTV's Nikhil Naz, Sachin Tendulkar opens up on how he plans to conduct himself in Rajya Sabha, what keeps his passion alive, why he doesn't bowl much anymore, Roger Federer and lots more. Here is the full transcript of the interview....

NDTV: My guest today is the Go-Karting champion of the Indian cricket team. I also know that he's a very good pool player and this one I can tell you with a lot of guarantee that he's the best table tennis player in the entire cricketing fraternity. And in all of this, there is this small matter of scoring 100 international hundreds as well. The only reason why I did not introduce you with your cricket records is because everyone knows them. These are things they probably wouldn't know. But you know it's been roughly around three months since you've reached that landmark. You spoke right after it. Sometimes it takes time to sink in. How does it feel now, you probably would have looked back, to have reached where no man has ever reached before?

Sachin Tendulkar: I'm relieved, I can say it's out of the way now. Because just before that there was a huge build up. You know, for almost 10-12 months there was a huge build-up. And then, you know, I got close to it, but somehow it just didn't happen. But there were no reasons for that, I thought there were stages where I possibly batted one of the best in my life. So it wasn't as if I wasn't batting badly or whatever, I was batting well. But I felt maybe, occasionally, luck wasn't on my side. And sometimes I got out playing, you know, not the kind of shots I should've played. But on the whole, if I have to look back, then I have to say that this journey has been one of the toughest in my career and I'm happy that it's over and I can, you know, move forward.

NDTV: And you're relieved and can I just tell you that we are as well. I was there at the Oval, I was there at Wankhede and I was already giving my lines that Sachin has reached his 100th hundred, so we were equally disappointed. But you know, I have spoken to a lot of great batsmen, Sunil Gavaskar, Geoffrey Boycott, they remember every run that they have scored. They never forget. So I've got 3 or 4 questions with regards to your 100th hundred journey; let's see how much you remember. Do you remember who was the bowler when you reached 200, the first man in ODI cricket to reach 200?

Sachin Tendulkar: It was (Charl) Langeveldt and I played towards backward point.

NDTV: Alright, so you've got the shot as well. Who was the non-striker when you made your first Test hundred that was in England?

Sachin Tendulkar: Manoj Prabhakar

NDTV: You're absolutely right. Your fastest ODI hundred? I can give you a hint, it's very close to where we are at the moment.

Sachin Tendulkar: Got to be Sharjah then.

NDTV: That's right, it was in Sharjah, it was in 71 balls against Zimbabwe.  Who was field ...

Sachin Tendulkar: … In 1998, November

NDTV: 1998 November, absolutely right. Who was the fielder? You were first man to be given out by the third umpire, who was the fielder …

Sachin Tendulkar: .. Jonty.

NDTV: Jonty Rhodes, absolutely right. Okay, you've only been stumped once in your Test career, who was the bowler?

Sachin Tendulkar: Ashley Giles in Bangalore.

NDTV: Right so you time the ball as well on the cricket field and off it as well. That was 100 % correct. You know, everyone talks about your 100th hundred but sometimes a batsman plays a very important innings, which doesn't reach the hundred mark. So tell me one innings where you didn't reach the hundred but you were as happy as you would've been had you made the hundred?

Sachin Tendulkar: I would say that there were many. Because whenever we win and I have not scored a hundred, it really doesn't matter. You know, eventually it's winning that matters for me then. Then I can say that in the recent past of what I can remember is the Delhi Test match against the West Indies. I scored 76 in the second innings and that was one Test match where I felt that I did not score a hundred, but we won and I played an important role in the second innings. So, that would be one

NDTV: You've got your 100th hundred and you also got your first hundred. Which was more pressure relieving? To get to your first hundred in Test cricket or to get your 100th?

Sachin Tendulkar: The first hundred I wouldn't even compare to this one, because in the first hundred nobody was expecting me to. You know, every-time I walked in it was not like, you know, you have to score your first hundred. But for my 100th hundred, every-time when I walked out and I didn't score, it was a huge disappointment. It really didn't matter how well I batted, it really didn't matter and I felt that we needed to stop that. Because you know, I'm batting well and I'm contributing so, you know, whenever I have done that, that also has an importance.

NDTV: You know there is this very interesting statement that you made recently, that you just don't want to be remembered by your cricket stats. Now that's very intriguing, especially for someone like me, I just want to know what is it that you have got planned because it's very tough for people to think of Sachin Tendulkar outside of cricket, anything that you do.

Sachin Tendulkar: I haven't planned anything right now, because I feel that when I'm focusing on cricket and when I'm playing active, competitive cricket, then my focus and concentration should be on cricket and nothing else. Whenever I plan to do whatever, you know, well when the appropriate time is there I will take that step. But at this moment it is cricket.

NDTV: You know I know you are a very soft-spoken man. You know it's going to be very difficult to out shout those people in the Parliament. You think you can do it?

Sachin Tendulkar: No I don't think I need to shout and I hope, you know, that no one will make me shout. Why should one be shouting? You can politely put your point across and say whatever you have to, and then, whatever happens, happens.

NDTV: Well we've got a few questions from some people with regards to your 100th hundred. Vikas Garg sent in a question on our website, saying that he's been working for four years and he's already bored of his work. He wants to know, you have been playing cricket for the last 23 years. How do you keep that passion alive?

Sachin Tendulkar: Haven't thought really. You know, passion is very much there, I don't how one can keep it alive. It's there. I mean I don't have to work hard for it. I love the sport and you know, it's very much there within me. I've not had to work hard and follow certain routines so that my passion stays alive. It's been there.

NDTV: Okay, Nandakumar wants to know that, you've been a very successful ODI bowler. Why don't we see Sachin Tendulkar bowl more in ODI cricket?

Sachin Tendulkar: In Australia I had a groin injury in 2007, so after that whenever I had bowled I felt a little bit of strain. So, you know, I guess it's just one of those things and also my foot injury, so you know I'm just trying to protect that. If I push too hard then there's a possibility that it may flare up, so I'm just taking precautions and there are bowlers in the team.

NDTV: Right, as long as you're scoring runs nobody seems to mind. Venkat wants to know what is tough as a batsman, is it pace bowling or spin bowling?

Sachin Tendulkar: It's quality bowling. I mean, it need not just be fast bowling, sometimes if you get good swing bowling, then that is also difficult to play. And then sometimes when there is genuine fast bowling, with accuracy, then obviously it is not easy to handle.

NDTV: Alright, day and night Test matches are being proposed and in fact they've said that if both countries agree then you should play. You think it is good for Test cricket because it was dying in a way?

Sachin Tendulkar: I think it's not as easy as it seems. Because as long as you're sure of the cricket ball retaining its colour and it's being picked by the batters, then you can try it out, but I wouldn't straight away go to Test cricket. Why not first try it out in first class cricket and get the response from the players all across the world, not just a few countries, but all across the world and then take that step forward.

NDTV: Has there been any moment in sport when you were watching as a spectator that has brought tears to your eyes, while watching it on TV or anything, any Indian sport?

Sachin Tendulkar: I think when we won the World Cup finals. I was watching, I mean I was in the dressing room. So you know, we all cried. We all cried happy tears and that was one moment for which I waited for 22 years and every moment was worth waiting for, because I don't think I've been happier on a cricket field than that.

 

NDTV: I want to ask you about tennis. You're a big tennis fan, a big Roger Federer fan. Federer going through a slump, what do you make of the tennis scenario at the moment?

Sachin Tendulkar: I think a great player will always be a great player. Class is permanent. Form can be, you know, there can be dips.

NDTV: Do you see him winning another grand slam?

Sachin Tendulkar: Yes I think he can, for sure.

NDTV: Alright now coming to F1. You are a big Formula One fan and Michael Schumacher fan, now he's gone to Mercedes. You are also a Ferrari fan, so are you split somewhere in the middle or you stick with it?

Sachin Tendulkar: No I was a Ferrari fan because of Schumacher and then when Schumacher sort of retired in between and then he came back. So when he retired, the interest level had gone down a bit, again the interest level is there but not …

NDTV: … But I believe that your son is an (Fernando) Alonso fan. So it is tough then, you have to support it?

Sachin Tendulkar: Yes but now his passion is cricket. Yes, he watches a little bit of F1 but not as much.

NDTV: Okay, so the Indian team is going for the Olympics. So any message or anything that you're looking forward to? And do you believe they'll do much better than they've done before?

Sachin Tendulkar: I pray to God that they get all the strength and that they go out there and perform and express themselves, and all I can say is just enjoy yourselves and the rest will follow. They've really worked hard for a number of years now and yes, the expectations are there, but who wants to go there and fail? They are all going out there to give their best and get medals for India and that would be just unbelievable, more the better. So, all the very best and whether you bring back medals or not, what matters is your effort and we are very proud of you.

NDTV: Thanks so much for talking to us.

Sachin Tendulkar: Thank you.

© NDTV

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Statue of Sachin debated for Wankhede Stadium

During the last managing committee meeting on May 28, some members of the Mumbai Cricket Association had suggested having a Sachin Tendulkar replica to commemorate the batting legend's 100 international centuries in March this year. "It is a very big achievement for all, especially Mumbaikars. So, this would be an ideal way to recognise his monumental feat. Wankhede is his home ground and we need to do something special," said a source.

The source said the idea was inspired by Sir Don Bradman's statue outside the Adelaide Oval. "Sir Don is Australia and Adelaide's pride. Similarly, Sachin is India and Mumbai's jewel. At the moment, we just have a stand named after the legendary batsman, which is not enough," added the source.

The Melbourne Cricket Ground has statues of legendary Australian cricketers like Bradman, Shane Warne, Dennis Lillee and Keith Miller.

However, some in the MCA are not convinced with the idea. The reason is lack of space. "There is already a huge space crunch at the Wankhede Stadium during matches. So, erecting a statue is not practically feasible.

"Another reason is the statue may get damaged in crowd frenzy," said another source.

MCA has already announced that it would felicitate Tendulkar with 100 gold coins, which would cost approximately Rs 28 lakhs.

The Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) felicitated the master batsman with 100 gold coins, and a golden bat and ball during Mumbai Indians' match against Kolkata Knight Riders in the Indian Premier League 5 at the Eden Gardens last month.

© MIDDAY

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Exclusive Pics : Sachin Tendulkar With His Family In Red Fort London

We bring you some Exclusive pictures of Sachin Tendulkar with his Family in Red Fort London yesterday. The entire people there was very happy to see master blaster there. Everyone was happy clicking pictures with Sachin Tendulkar. Indeed they said " BEING HONOURED TO SERVE THE LEGEND".

 Also See Sachin Tendulkar With Fans In London Here -- >> Exclusive Pics : Sachin Tendulkar With Fans in London

© Red Fort, London

© Red Fort, London

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© Red Fort, London

© Red Fort, London

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Former Kiwi batsman Vincent desperate to interview cricket legend Tendulkar

Former New Zealand batsman Lou Vincent, who is working on his website, has expressed the hope of interviewing Indian cricketer Sachin Tendulkar, and also have a sing along with the master blaster some time.Vincent, who last played international cricket in December 2007, is currently in the United Kingdom, where his latest project has been living out of a bus and working on his own website (www.whereislou.co.uk).

He has been interviewing cricketers like Sir Viv Richards, Chris Gayle and Dwayne Bravo, but he now hopes to meet Tendulkar for an interview.When asked during whether he had interviewed Tendulkar recently when they met, Vincent said it wasn't an interview, but also expressed hope to make it possible soon."No, no, I was at Lords for an event today for the ESPN indoor cricket challenge. Sachin was there with his son. He's obviously been very busy, and he is on holiday, so as a good family man, he is with his son, and his son obviously wants to play cricket," Vincent said during an interview with PakPassion.net.

"So, there he was feeding the bowling machine to his boy, and fortunately enough, Sachin had five minutes to have a little chat about bits and pieces. I told him what I've been up to this summer, and hopefully, I'm hoping, fingers crossed, I'll be able to get Sachin at the back of the bus for an interview, and have a sing along at some stage," he added.

Also See : Exclusive Pics : Sachin Tendulkar With Fans in London This Week

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Sachin Tendulkar, MS Dhoni included in Forbes list of 100 highest-paid athletes

Sachin Tendulkar and India captain MS Dhoni were included in the Forbes list of 100 world’s highest-paid athletes.Team India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni has pipped the likes of 'Sprint King' Usain Bolt, tennis ace Novak Djokovic and teammate Sachin Tendulkar in the latest list of world's 100 richest sportspersons, released by the Forbes magazine.According to the list, Dhoni is ranked 31st, which is way ahead of Djokovic (62nd), Bolt (63rd) and Tendulkar (78th).
 
Star footballers Wayne Rooney and Fernando Torres are also behind Dhoni in the latest list.Boxing champion Floyd Mayweather topped the list with a total earnings of USD 85 million while Fillipino pugilist Manny Pacquiao, with earnings of USD 62 million, and golf legend Tiger Woods, with USD 59.4 million, are second and third.Of his total earnings of 26.5 million, Dhoni earns 23 m through endorsements. Tendulkar has earned USD 18.6 million with 16.5 m from endorsements.
 
Interestingly, the Indian captain's earnings through endorsements is more than the world's most popular footballer Lionel Messi.Although Messi is 11th in the list with total earnings of USD 39 million -- his earnings from endorsements is USD 19 million, which is 4 million less than that of Dhoni.Manchester United's star striker Rooney is placed 37th with a total earnings of USD 24.3 million.
 
Djokovic from Serbia, winner of six Grand Slams singles titles, is 62nd with USD 20.6 million, while Olympic 100m champion Usain Bolt is 63rd with total earnings of USD 20.3 million.Maria Sharapova is the richest among women's sportspersons at 26th with earnings of USD 27.9 million.While Roger Federer is ranked fifth in the list, David Beckham (8th) and Cristiano Ronaldo (9th) are the two soccer stars who are in the top-10. (PTI)
 
TOP 10 Richest Sportspersons with earnings
 
1. Floyd Mayweather (Boxing) (USD 85 million)
 
2. Manny Pacquiao (Boxing) (USD 62 million)
 
3. Tiger Woods (Golf) (USD 59.4 million)
 
4. Lebron James (Basketball) (USD 53 million)
 
5. Roger Federer (Tennis) (USD 52.7 million)
 
6. Kobe Bryant (Basketball) (USD 52.3 million)
 
7. Phil Mickelson (Golf) (USD 47.8 million)
 
8. David Beckham (Soccer) (USD 46 million)
 
9. Cristiano Ronaldo (Soccer) (USD 42.5 million)
 
10. Peyton Manning (American Football) (USD 42.4 million)
 
Other Notable Names
 
11. Lionel Messi (Soccer) (USD 39 million)
 
26. Maria Sharapova (Tennis) (USD 27.9 million)
 
31. Mahendra Singh Dhoni (Cricket) (USD 26.5 million)
 
37. Wayne Rooney (Soccer) (USD 24.3 million)
 
62. Novak Djokovic (Tennis) (USD 20.6 million)
 
63. Usain Bolt (Athletics) (USD 20.3 million)
 
78. Sachin Tendulkar (Cricket) (USD 18.6 million).

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Exclusive Pics : Sachin Tendulkar With Fans in London | June 2012

We Bring you some Exclusive pictures of God Sachin Tendulkar with some fans in London this week. Earlier in this month Senior Indian cricketer Sachin Tendulkar was presented the Wisden India Outstanding Achievement awardfor completing a century of 100 international hundreds. Tendulkar had achieved the milestone while playing against Bangladesh in the Asia Cup in March.

The event was organised by FidelisWorld and the iconic batsman was presented with a trophy. Made from crystal, it features a cricket ball resting on the open pages of a book.

The 49 one-day international centuries that Tendulkar has made are listed on one side, and his 51 Test hundreds on the other.Tendulkar spoke on various aspects of his career at the function such as his favourite innings - the match-winning fourth-innings hundred against England at Chennai in December 2008 - balancing play and personal life, and the influence that his late father had in shaping his career. 

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Tendulkar gets Wisden India Outstanding Achievement award

DUBAI: Senior Indian cricketer Sachin Tendulkar was presented the Wisden India Outstanding Achievement award for completing a century of 100 international hundreds.

Tendulkar had achieved the milestone while playing against Bangladesh in the Asia Cup in March.

The event was organised by FidelisWorld and the iconic batsman was presented with a trophy. Made from crystal, it features a cricket ball resting on the open pages of a book.

The 49 one-day international centuries that Tendulkar has made are listed on one side, and his 51 Test hundreds on the other.

Tendulkar spoke on various aspects of his career at the function such as his favourite innings - the match-winning fourth-innings hundred against England at Chennai in December 2008 - balancing play and personal life, and the influence that his late father had in shaping his career.

© PTI

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Photos : Sachin Tendulkar at Kaspersky Promotional Event | June 06, 2012 - Mumbai

IT security solutions provider Kaspersky Lab said it appointed ace cricketer Sachin Tendulkar its brand ambassador.Beginning October, Tendulkar will be the face of the IT security brand and under the exclusive association, he will represent the Kaspersky brand in India and other regional markets around the world, Kaspersky said in a statement. Sachin Tendulkar Was Appointed as Brand Ambassador In September 2011. He Attended an Promotional Event In Mumbai Today Evening.

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© Rjsangeeta

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Video : I want to contribute to all sports: Sachin Tendulkar

Sachin Tendulkar, who sworn in as a nominated member of the Rajya Sabha today, said he would like to help other sports but he will not take his focus away from cricket. ("In the last 22 years of my international career, cricket has given me so much and I also wanted to give something back to cricket in the latter half of my life. Today with the nomination, I am in a better position not only to help cricket but also other sports. It means a lot to me. I will try to help other sports," Sachin said.

"But I believe there will be a few obstacles along the way, and I will need from my fellow parliamentarians, the administrators, media and our countrymen. Together we can make a lot of changes," he added.

Sachin, who was accompanied by his wife Anjali and Congress leader Mr Rajiv Shukla in the chamber of Rajya Sabha chairman Hamid Ansari, also said that he would like to be remembered as someone who contributed to the country and not just cricket statistics. "I will be happy if I am remembered as someone who contributed to all sports in India rather than just cricket statistics. That would be fantastic.

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In Pictures : Sachin Tendulkar takes oath as Rajya Sabha member

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Video : Sachin Tendulkar takes oath as Rajya Sabha member

A smile played on Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar's face as he read his oath as a member of Parliament. Cricket's most prolific batsman ever is clearly looking forward to playing some master strokes in the Indian Parliament and says this stint will help him give back not only to cricket but other sports as well.

Dressed in a white shirt with pale check checks and dark trousers, Mr Tendulkar looked much at home signing the register as a new Rajya Sabha MP. After the oath-taking in the office of Rajya Sabha Chairman Dr Hamid Ansari, the master blaster said he was honoured to have been nominated by the President of India to the Upper House. "In the last 22 years of my international career, cricket has given me so much and I also wanted to give something back to cricket in the latter half of my life. Today with the nomination, I am in a better position not only to help cricket but also other sports. It means a lot to me. I will try to help other sports."

Accompanied by his wife Anjali and Congress leader and IPL chairman Rajiv Shukla, Mr Tendulkar was emphatic that cricket remained his whole life, but also that he wanted to be remembered for more contribution than to just cricket statistics: "I will be happy if I am remembered as someone who contributed to my country, rather than just cricket statistics. That would be fantastic."

ALSO SEE :

In Pictures : Sachin Tendulkar takes oath as Rajya Sabha member

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Want to be remembered for more than cricket stats: Sachin Tendulkar, MP

Sachin Tendulkar, who sworn in as a nominated member of the Rajya Sabha today, said he would like to help other sports but he will not take his focus away from cricket. ("In the last 22 years of my international career, cricket has given me so much and I also wanted to give something back to cricket in the latter half of my life. Today with the nomination, I am in a better position not only to help cricket but also other sports. It means a lot to me. I will try to help other sports," Sachin said.

"But I believe there will be a few obstacles along the way, and I will need from my fellow parliamentarians, the administrators, media and our countrymen. Together we can make a lot of changes," he added.

Sachin, who was accompanied by his wife Anjali and Congress leader Mr Rajiv Shukla in the chamber of Rajya Sabha chairman Hamid Ansari, also said that he would like to be remembered as someone who contributed to the country and not just cricket statistics. "I will be happy if I am remembered as someone who contributed to all sports in India rather than just cricket statistics. That would be fantastic.

When asked how he would take time out of his busy cricket schedule, he said: "I am a nominee. I did not go to anyone asking to be a Rajya Sabha member. It's an honour and I accept that with respect. But I am here because of my cricket. I can't take my focus away from cricket because that is where it all started for me."

ALSO SEE :

In Pictures : Sachin Tendulkar takes oath as Rajya Sabha member

"I will focus on my cricket and as and when I stop playing cricket, I don't know when, I don't want those rumors to also start that I am going to stop playing cricket, because I will let everyone know when I will stop cricket. But at this moment my focus will be on cricket, and as and when, there is time in between I will look at other things and see how I can help and bring in whatever changes....not only cricket but all other sports," he added.

© NDTV

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In Pictures : Sachin Tendulkar takes oath as Rajya Sabha member

A smile played on Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar's face as he read his oath as a member of Parliament. Cricket's most prolific batsman ever is clearly looking forward to playing some master strokes in the Indian Parliament and says this stint will help him give back not only to cricket but other sports as well.

"In the last 22 years of my international career, cricket has given me so much and I also wanted to give something back to cricket in the latter half of my life. Today with the nomination, I am in a better position not only to help cricket but also other sports. It means a lot to me. I will try to help other sports," Sachin said

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