Wouldn’t like to start thinking of 2011 in 2008: Tendulkar

Saturday will see Sachin Tendulkar complete 19 years as an India cricketer. In the lead-up, he spoke to The Telegraph for around half-an-hour.

The following are excerpts

Q Have there been stages in your awesome career (12,273 runs in Tests, 40x100; 16,361 runs in ODIs, 42x100)?

A Just two, I’d say... The first would be from my debut till the maiden tour of Australia, in 1991-92, and the second from there onwards... I was 18 then, but that tour made a man out of me... It was a defining moment in my career.

You’ve been in the India dressing room for two generations... From the time of the Dilip Vengsarkars to the Gautam Gambhirs... The Kid of 1989 has been the senior-most pro for some years now... What’s your own take on this?

I fool around, try to crack jokes... My seniority and experience is all on the field... I like the dressing room atmosphere to be light, for that’s the way it should be. I try and contribute towards that... Sure, I was the baby of the team 19 years ago, but I don’t think I’ve changed much in the dressing room... I mean, I won’t sit in a corner and be quiet because I’m the senior-most around. That’s not me.

Do the newcomers get intimidated by your presence?

(Laughs) It’s for them to answer, but I try and make them comfortable... We’re, after all, part of one team.

Anil Kumble and Sourav Ganguly are through with international cricket... Today, what does the future hold for Team India?

It’s difficult to predict... What I can tell you is that it will be difficult to fill the space left behind by Anil and Sourav... One played for over 18 years, the other for over 12... It’s a long time to be playing for your country... Talented players are there, but what has been left vacant can’t be filled in 12 or 18 months...

Like millions, Mahendra Singh Dhoni grew up idolising you. How is he as captain?

Dhoni has a mature head on his shoulders... He’s balanced... His peripheral awareness is very good... I remember having been impressed by him from very early on when, in between deliveries, I’d chat with him from the slips cordon... Dhoni wasn’t even the vice-captain then.

Much like you, Dhoni remains calm. You’ve been asked this before, but one can’t help asking once more — how do you handle such enormous pressure?

Look, the heat is on everyone... Pressure is always there... Some show they’re under pressure, others don’t... Focusing on the job at hand is probably the best way of not getting overwhelmed.

Have you gifted yourself anything after breaking Brian Lara’s record (in Mohali, last month)?

(Laughs) You’ve asked an interesting question... Nothing as yet... I’d, of course, gifted myself a BMW M5 after scoring the (record-authoring) 35th Test hundred, three years ago... Thought I deserved it!

What now?

I do get tempted by cars... Haven’t made up my mind, though...

Did Sara and Arjun present you something?

They congratulated me... They were quite shy, really, and gave what I’d describe a good gift... (After a pause) My mother blessed me, as usual... I was welcomed home with an aarti... We’re a traditional family and don’t like making a show of celebrations. You won’t find us going overboard.

What’s the future you’re looking at? Everybody wants you around till the 2011 World Cup... Come to think of it, 2009 is already at our doorstep...

I know that... I also know well-wishers have put 2011 as a target for me... However, what I’d like to do is remain fit and enjoy the game... That’s my goal, rather than being available for a particular series or a tournament... I’d rather look at the immediate future and be ready... As is my practice, I wouldn’t like to look too far ahead... You know I look at the next engagement, not an X number of years down the line...

Fine, but if you’re fit and enjoying your cricket, then it wouldn’t be unrealistic to say you could actually be available for the next World Cup...

I’d try to be fit... Work as hard as possible... Having said that, I wouldn’t like to start thinking of 2011 in 2008... But, yes, I’ll continue doing the things I’ve done for the last 19 years... I know fans would be happy (to see him in the 2011 showpiece)...