Sachin slams critics for doubting ability

“Many people thought we would be on top for only 30-40 days when we achieved the No 1 spot in Tests (beating Sri Lanka at home) as the South Africa series (at home) was next. After losing the first Test at Nagpur we heard we will lose the No 1 spot.

“But after more than a year we are still standing there. In this competitive era it is fantastic,” said Tendulkar at the Castrol Awards function here. Tendulkar received three awards -- the Indian Cricketer of the Year (2009-10 season), the Test Cricketer of the Year and a special award for completing 50 Test tons. In all, he received Rs nine lakh as cash prize.

Tendulkar said the team faced many challenges after reaching the top and praised the entire team as well as coach Gary Kirsten.

“I feel extremely proud to be part of this team. To get there (to the no 1 spot) was not easy. We had to face a lot of challenges and stood together supporting each other. We had to work hard. Gary brought a remarkable change in the squad. All batsmen have performed well since 2007,” Tendulkar said in an indirect dig at former coach Greg Chappell.

“When Kirsten took over, had a plan and assessed the situation and it was only the process which we had to go through,” he said in praise of the South African. Tendulkar also conceded that his dip in form prior to what is generally described as his second innings in his remarkable career was due to the change in his back swing due to the spate of injuries for which he needed four surgeries.

“I underwent four surgeries and each one took four and a half months to recover. But since 2007 I am feeling good,” he said.

Other award winners: ODI Cricketer of the Year: MS Dhoni; Bowler of the Year: Harbhajan Singh; Special achievement award for highest number of catches in Tests: Rahul Dravid; Impact cricketer: Yusuf Pathan; Lifetime achievement: Mohinder Amarnath; Junior Cricketer of the Year: Jaydev Unadkat.