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 ' 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.