'I would do whatever is needed for the WC'

MUMBAI: Australian batsman Michael Hussey had remarked a few days back: "Test cricket is bloody hard work, especially when you've got Sachin Tendulkar batting with what looks like a three-metre wide bat." Here's an idea as to exactly why Tendulkar's bat appears so wide even against the best of the bowling attacks.
On Thursday, the Master Blaster was in London to receive an award.On Friday, he was launching watches in New Delhi, and on Saturday, he had two promotional functions plus an awards ceremony to attend. In between all this, Tendulkar, in his 21st year in international cricket, didn't forget to practise the art that has made him a living legend.
Turning up slightly late at an event to announce his tie-up with a Pune-based realty firm, Tendulkar won hearts straightaway by offering a genuine excuse: "I am sorry for being late. I was practising, and that is something I can't miss." For a man so dedicated to the sport, missing out on international commitments, especially One-dayers, is understandable, but tough.
The batting maestro said that his decision to skip India's last two ODI series, in Sri Lanka and against Australia at home, was not a pre-determined one. "The decision to skip the last two ODI series was taken at the last moment and was not pre-decided. My kit always contained coloured pads," he said.
Tendulkar hasn't played in an ODI since scoring a record 200 against South African at Gwalior on February 24 this year. "Having been around for some time, I know how to adjust to the formats," he said to silence the doubting Thomases.
The logic behind the move is to focus on playing more Tests and the World Cup. "I know my body. I would do whatever is needed for the World Cup and it won't be pre-decided," said Tendulkar. Like always, he wasn't prepared to look too far ahead, preferring to stay focussed on the Test series against New Zealand at home.
"We have got three Tests to play before the South African tour. There's lot of cricket left to be played before the World Cup," he said.
Is he playing the best cricket of his life? "I would like to do better, work harder. I don't like to count the numbers. I believe in action, not talking and want to keep my fingers crossed," he replied.
Later, at a promotional event for an electronics giant, someone had the audacity to enquire whether being in the 90s makes him nervous. "If that's the case I won't have 95 (international) hundreds," he shot back.
For those cynics who think that India are topping the Test chart because of a fall in the standard of international cricket, Tendulkar had this to say: "When we play well, I don't know why, people think otherwise (that the world standards have dipped)."