No plans to retire, Tendulkar hints 2015 WC is possible

 Sachin Tendulkar made it clear today that he does not intend to retire anytime soon and left open the possibility of playing in the 2015 World Cup.

The master batsman, who will turn 39 next month, took on his critics who have been suggesting that he should retire from the one-day format of the game and focus on Test cricket. Kapil Dev, Imran Khan and some other former greats have in fact expressed views that he should have retired from ODIs when India won the 2011 World Cup.

"I feel that when I retire is something that I would decide because when I started was not decided by someone else. Those who are advising me about retirement did not bring me in the team," he said at a rare press conference here.

Tendulkar, who reached an unprecedented milestone in the game's history of making 100 international centuries nine days ago in Dhaka, was uncharacteristically blunt about his critics and said, "I feel those who say you should retire at the top, are selfish because when you are at the top, you should serve the country instead of retiring."

Asked about the prospects of his playing the 2015 World Cup to be held in Australia and New Zealand, Tendulkar refused to be drawn into any predictions but clearly did not rule out playing in the tournament.

"When this question was asked in 2007 (about the 2011 World Cup), it was tough for me to answer. It's the same situation.

"I don't know what to say about 2015, if people keep praying for me, that means a lot for me. I will keep trying, the rest is in god's hands. I just want to enjoy the game. I don't want to set targets," he added.

Speaking about his 100th international century, which he scored after a year-long wait, the iconic player said, "When I reached my 100th ton, I looked at my bat and looked at the sky and asked god, what wrong did I do? Why did it take so long?"

Answering a question about rising superstar Virat Kohli and other emerging youngsters, Tendulkar had a word of advice for them -- they should have strong commitment and discipline.