Straight Answers

Sachin Tendulkar, cricket icon, on being a team player on and off the field:How do you feel sharing a platform with newcomers for brands that you have long endorsed? Endorsements are an open turf and as such I don't focus on them. They just come with the territory and I am happy if my team members — new or seasoned — do well. And it doesn't matter if we share endorsements. It is on the field that I leave no stone unturned for that extra run, or that crucial wicket. Is there a feeling of insecurity? Me, insecure? Not at all. I don't pit myself against my own team members. Whether it is I who contribute, or anyone else, if we win, we all share the victory as a team. Be it Sourav or Dravid or anyone else who plays well, I always back-slap the colleague. We are a team and as a team, we are there for each other. I am definitely not insecure about my position.Who, amongst the current young crop, is your favourite? I wouldn't pick a favourite. I motivate all of them. I would want each to blossom and contribute to the team. People draw parallels between you and Sehwag. What do you think of him? We are all proud of his performance. He's promising and talented, and today we know what he's capable of. I appreciate his abilities and wish him well. I hope he does well in the future. Sehwag claims to emulate you on field. Do you see yourself in him? I can't see myself when I play, so I can't really compare. But I have observed Sehwag. And yes, he does remind me of my younger days.Cricket apart, how is your restaurant, Tendulkar's, doing? The response has been excellent and I am thrilled. I was there myself recently. The restaurant is all me — it serves my favourite food, plays my favourite music. People have taken to it and that feels good. We are now planning something new in the dining and the bar area which I am sure guests will find exciting.