' The Legend ' is " the world's best athlete ", says Time Magazine

Sachin Tendulkar’s super-human feats have earned him the title of “The God of Cricket” from his fans around the world. Time magazine’s latest issue – which is scheduled to go on the stands on May 11, 2012 - features him on the cover with the same title. This is the second time he would feature on Time’s cover – the first time being in the year 1999.
 

Boby Ghosh, Time’s Deputy International Editor, interview Tendulkar after the batsman achieved the phenomenal milestone of a 100 international tons. In the interview, Tendulkar discussed numerous facets of his personality, his ability to shield himself from pressure, carrying the burden of over a billion expectations etc. Although Tendulkar is known for his quiet demeanour off the field, Ghosh was surprised to find him in a “chatty mood.”
 

Sportsmen have often spoken about “the zone” which allows them to deliver their best. On the subject, Tendulkar said “"I need to surrender myself to my natural instincts. My subconscious mind knows exactly what to do. It's been trained to react for years." He also said that he gets into such zones only 50% of the times, “One would like to be in that zone more often, but it’s not that easy. It’s like you are completely cut off from the crowd, from the noise they are making. Your subconscious has taken over.”
 

Tendulkar carries an enormous burden of expectations, but he spoke about his own, “Something which still gives me sleepless nights is, 'How will I go out and keep that standard, and live up to my own expectations? How am I going to go out and perform?' ” He said that it was this “restlessness” that has brought the best out of him.
 

The pressure of expectations may prevent a player from enjoying the game and Tendulkar stressed on the importance “So much happens [on and off the field] that sometimes you forget to enjoy the game. That’s when things don’t go smoothly”. In 2006, he played a few club games after his shoulder surgery – an experience he said was a game changer, “I played a couple of practice games, and there was not too much media, not too many people watching. I realized something was very different: I was enjoying cricket.”
 

Tendulkar’s fame and stature doesn’t allow him to move freely in India, particularly in his home city Mumbai. He said that it is “unfortunate” that he couldn’t take his children for walks etc, but said that when he spends time at home he is like any other family man.

 He also spoke about his son Arjun’s love for cricket and said that “As long as he is in love with cricket, it’s fine. Then you don’t look at your watch or count the number of hours you’ve practiced. It’s the sheer joy and satisfaction of being on the field. And that’s what I want [for him].”

Sporting greats such as Michael Schumacher, Bjorn Borg, John McEnroe and Roger Federer have inspired Tendulkar, but he says, “but I’ve still got to be myself.” Ghosh’s article in the Time magazine titled “The God of Big Things”, unravels the phenomenon of Tendulkar and describes him as the “The World’s best athlete.” It compares him to modern sporting greats, “Every sport has record breakers, but of his contemporaries, only Michael Jordan, Lance Armstrong and prescandal Tiger Woods come anywhere close to matching him in redefining the realms of possibility.”

Ghosh also says that Lionel Messi may be the best football player in the world, but he faces a stiff competition from Cristiano Ronaldo. Tendulkar on the other hand is miles ahead of his next best competitor – Ricky Ponting who has 71 international centuries to his name.

The article describes Tendulkar’s cricketing journey, one that coincided with India’s new economic regime. It says that for a land that is not known to produce world-beating sportsman, Tendulkar gave India a new found belief and quotes Ramachandra Guha, "Sachin showed us that was nonsense--not only could we play, we could consistently beat countries that were supposedly of stronger physical stock."

Tendulkar’s recent nomination to the Rajya Sabha surprised many and it begs the question, “what after cricket for him.” Guha pointed out that “There is life in India after Sachin, but I don't know what life for Sachin can be after cricket."

I'm a sportsman, not a politician : ' The Legend '

New Delhi : In his first media interaction after being nominated for the Rajya Sabha by the President of India, Sachin Tendulkar '  The Legend ' said while he will like make a contribution as a Member of Parliament, he remains primarily a sportsman and not a politician.

"It's a bouncer, but I'm aware of my responsibilities. It's a great honour for me, [though] I'm not a politician but a sportsman. I will like to contribute in whatever way I can," Sachin said about his RS nomination, which has been made under the quota of eminent citizens of India.

 When asked about how he handles the amount of success he has achieved in cricket, Tendulkar credited it to his upbringing and education. "My upbringing taught me to have a balanced approach. Education helps in balanced thinking. Educations helps you in becoming a better person. Keeping mind blank is important. You should focus on the present. When people say I am insane, I am in the present."

"When the President nominates your name, you are nominated because of your contribution. I was nominated because I played for India for 22 years. Great persons like Lata [Mangeshkar] Didi have been nominated," Tendulkar said.

But Tendulkar was quick to make it clear that the nomination can't come in way of his playing cricket. "RS nomination is a great honour, but it's not going to stop my cricket. Cricket is my life. All my awards are only due to cricket."

' The Legend ' snubs Mumbai Corporation : Sena members

Mumbai : By now it has become common knowledge that the Shiv Sena isn't exactly jumping with joy at the prospect of cricketing maestro Sachin Tendulkar ' The Legend ' being part of the Upper House of Parliament, that too after being nominated by the Congress.

 The saffron party's lukewarm attitude to the new milestone may also have something to do with the fact that Tendulkar has decided to side with the Congress after ignoring repeated overtures made to him by the Sena.

 Tendulkar has repeatedly ignored requests from not one but three city mayors to spare some time and attend his own felicitation, planned on different occasions.

The latest snub came close on the heels of Tendulkar's 100th ton, when Mayor Sunil Prabhu sent him a letter, requesting that he give the civic body some time so they could felicitate him for his historic feat. This time too, Tendulkar chose to stay mum on the invite.

Nursing a hurt ego, the disgruntled civic body has decided not to extend such invites to the maestro any more.

  

"The mayor is the first citizen of the city, and in the last few years, the BMC has sent at least four such invitations to Tendulkar, asking for a small amount of his time so that it can fete him. But he has never accepted. He has all the time to meet people and even go to Delhi to do so. He also attends private functions hosted by businessmen, but can't give a confirmation to the BMC," said a Sena leader, on condition of anonymity.

Earlier, after the World Cup victory in 2011, former mayor Shraddha Jadhav had extended a similar invite to Tendulkar, who reportedly failed to respond.

Mayor Prabhu said, "Being the first citizen of the city, I have sent an invite to Sachin. Now it's up to him to revert with a time that is suitable for him."

Asked if he had considered sending the master blaster a reminder, he said, "We will wait for his reply, and when he does respond, we will arrange for the programme."

Shubha Raul, former mayor, opined that the civic body had had enough of the waiting game. "We approached him thrice, but if he has other commitments and hasn't reverted, we should stop here. If the desire to felicitate him persists, the mayor could write a congratulatory message to him, telling him that he has made us proud," she said. She also suggested that the BMC, instead of waiting on Tendulkar, could felicitate doctors or other achievers who have made meaningful contributions to society and are more willing to give the civic body some time.

'What role can a cricketer play in RS?'

Last afternoon, Shiv Sena supremo Bal Thackeray took a dig at Tendulkar's nomination. Addressing the media from his residence Matoshree, he said, "Sachin is very big today, and I am proud of it. There are many who have been in the Rajya Sabha - Amitabh Bachchan, Jaya Bachchan, Hema Malini - but they all keep quiet. I would never become a member of the Rajya Sabha, because one needs to ask what scope there is for a member. What role can a cricketer play in Rajya Sabha? People in the Rajya Sabha need to think on their own. This is the Congress' dirty picture, where Rajya Sabha seats are being forced on people."

" The Legend ' releases book on him published by The Hindu group

CHANDIGARH : ' The Legend ' on Tuesday released a book published on him by The Hindu group of publications at a function at the Mumbai Indians team hotel. 

Titled 'Sachin - A Tribute To The Legend,' is a fine collection of all the published reports of all the matches in which Tendulkar scored his 100 international tons. Besides, it has some rare pictures of the veteran batsman and a range of interesting statistics. 

Tendulkar expressed his gratitude to the newspaper after releasing the book on his 39th birthday. 

"It gives me immense pleasure to launch this book. All the efforts taken by The Hindu mean a lot to me. Over the years I have made lot of friends and they are dear ones. 

"Our friendship has grown in a similar manner as The Hindu has grown. I cherish each and every moment I have shared with them," said Tendulkar flanked by MI coach Robin Singh and captain Harbhajan Singh. 

The book was conceptualised after Tendulkar scored his 100th international century in the Asia Cup against Bangladesh in Mirpur on March 16. 

"Reading various articles and opinions (in The Hindu) has played an important role in my career. I want to take this opportunity to thank you for putting this book together in a matter of few weeks. It's a mammoth effort and thank you very much," said Tendulkar. 

The CEO of The Hindu group, Arun Anant, in a letter explained the concept behind publishing the book. 

"We thought this would be a fine gesture to have this book released by you on your birthday, April 24. We feel that this book will be a fitting tribute to your unparalleled contribution to the game, making India and the international cricket community proud," said Anant.

' The Legend ' lone Indian in ICC Test XI of the Year

The Indian cricket team's summer of discontent in the longest format of the game was reflected in the ICC 'Test Team of the Year' in which senior batsman god of cricket ' The Legend ' was the only player from the country to make the cut.

While ' The Legend ' took his customary number four spot for the third year running, Indian fast bowler Zaheer Khan was the other Indian to make it to the team squad albeit as a 12th man.

The duration of the period on which the players were judged on their performance was between August 11, 2010 and August 3, 2011.

' The Legend ' made 973 runs in 10 Tests at an average of 64.86 during the stipulated period.

' The Legend ' deserves nomination for Rajya Sabha : BCCI

The Indian Cricket Board (BCCI) on Thursday welcomed the government's nomination of Sachin Tendulkar as a member of the Rajya Sabha, saying that the iconic batsman deserves such an honour.

BCCI Chief Administrative Officer Prof. Ratnakar Shetty told PTI that the Board was happy with the government's move.

"We (BCCI) are happy that Tendulkar's services as a sportsperson has been recognised. He's been a true ambassador for the country and he deserves it," he said.

Tendulkar is among four eminent persons who have been recommended for nomination as members of the Rajya Sabha. 39-year-old Tendulkar can become a member of Parliament under a provision of the Constitution that allows the President to nominate 12 members to the Upper House.

Tendulkar's nomination to Rajya Sabha has come as a surprise against the backdrop of a long-standing demand for conferring of Bharat Ratna on him for his contribution to the game. He completed the historic achievement of scoring 100 international centuries in March this year.

He would be the first active sportsman and cricketer to be nominated to Rajya Sabha.

SACHIN TENDULKAR - ' The Legend ' of Cricket

Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar (born 24 April 1973) is an Indian cricketer. He holds several batting records, including the most Test centuries and the most one-day international centuries, and was rated in 2002 by Wisden as the second greatest Test batsman ever, after Sir Don Bradman. He received the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna, India’s highest sporting honour, for 1997-1998, and the civilian award Padma Shri in 1999. Tendulkar was a Wisden Cricketer of the Year in 1997.