Well aware that he would not pick up the willow again, cricket icon Sachin Tendulkar had discussed his last dismissal with his elder brother Ajit even after his farewell Test against the West Indies in November 2013.
Tendulkar, who retired from international cricket after playing his 200th and final Test here at the Wankhede Stadium against the West Indies, today revealed how he and his brother dissected his final dismissal.
"...on the last day of my career as well when I got out at the Wankhede stadium, we still discussed my dismissal and what I could have done. Hopefully, he said don't do that in the second innings," the 42-year-old disclosed.
Tendulkar said that it was his brother who not only inspired him to take up cricket but continued to encourage and support him throughout his career.
"Without any doubt it was my brother Ajit who is the reason I started playing cricket. I wanted to become like my brother first. Then I started watching cricket matches and India won the World Cup, and I wanted to have the trophy in my hand. I started chasing my dream from there on," Tendulkar, a winning member of the 2011 Cricket World Indian team, said.
"My brother was the one who took me to my coach Ramakant Achrekar and in my school days Achrekar Sir was there for me all the time. But after I finished school, I ended up playing for India immediately and then I moved away from Shivaji Park. I started travelling with either Mumbai Ranji team or India team. So most of my interactions later on started taking place with my brother," he said at the conclusion of 'Aviva Early Starters' initiative by Aviva Life Insurance.
Tendulkar also insisted that he always trusted his brother's opinion even if he did not agree with it. "My brother having played cricket knew exactly what was needed and I could discuss about my batting technique, the mental aspects of the game.
"I was prepared to take criticism. There were occasions our opinions were different, but I knew that in the end what he was telling me was for my good and I trusted his opinion," Tendulkar, who has scored 51 Test hundreds, said.
"It was all about confidence, belief in someone in whom you trust, you look up to. The judgement and discussions were only in my interest and there are no other motive," he added.
Tendulkar said the morning after his retirement he prepared a cup of tea. "When I retired, the next morning I prepared a cup of tea. I was asked the question 'what is the first thing that you did'? I woke up, sat in my balcony...it was relaxing. I continue to do those things."
