Tendulkar looks up to the task ahead

By Our Special Correspondent

MUMBAI, FEB. 21. Sachin Tendulkar was not in the nets with the Mumbai team at the Brabourne Stadium on the eve of its three day game against Australia. Instead, he along with Ajit Agarkar, Mumbai captain Sameer Dighe and leg-spinner Sairaj Bahutule spent an hour and 30 minutes at the Press Club, Mumbai on Wednesday afternoon. There was a pleasant surprise for the batting maestro as he drove his Mercedes into the Mahapalika Marg passage way that houses the Mumbai Marathi Patrakar Sangh and the Press Club at Azad Maidan.

Tendulkar met FIDE World Champion, Viswanathan Anand, who was felicitated by the Maharashtra Buddhibal (Chess) Sanghatana at the Marathi Patrakar Sangh. For the 15-odd private television channels and a battery of news photographers it was an opportunity for a dream picture, what with Tendulkar who had a scheduled appointment with the Press Club members, immediately agreeing to meet Anand at the Patrakar Sangh.

At the conference hall of the Press Club, Tendulkar, Agarkar, Dighe and Bahutule were introduced to the senior members of the Club and the Managing Committee by President Mr. Pradeep Vijayakar.

A little later, answering to a specific question, Tendulkar said: ``I am not playing the three day match against Australia. But I would like to remind the present Mumbai players of what we did in 1998. The team has to be confident. It's a great opportunity and they should make the most of it. I would like the Mumbai players to work hard and live up to everybody's expectations.''

Tendulkar said he was ``disappointed at missing the match. India's coach John Wright and Physio Andrew Leipus know the reasons, which they have told the Mumbai Cricket Association. There have been a few disappointments along the way. But now I am not really thinking about the three day game.

I have started focussing on the first Test. Australia is a terrific side. We cannot be over confident because we will be playing at home. I am hoping for the good wishes of my countrymen and live up to their expectations. I will just go out and play my natural game.''

He reiterated a point that the Indian players should concentrate on their job and not worry about the Australians. ``Playing cricket itself is tough and playing for India in India is not an easy task. Similarly, playing Australia in Australia is a difficult proposition. Australia is a great side. Its record speaks for it. Winning 15 Tests in a row is a tremendous achievement.''

And finally when asked, if he has lost the zest for captaincy, he said ``Not really. It's just that I am not thinking about it now. It is Sourav Ganguly's responsibility. I don't want to interfere. I will try and deliver more than that is expected of me as an ordinary player. I will try harder than the other guys in the team. There has to be a healthy competition within the team members as well. I am never satisfied with what I have done. I believe satisfaction brings in stagnation and I don't want that to happen to me.''

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