SACHIN SAYS TEAM INDIA WILL DO SOMETHING SPECIAL IN THIS WORLD CUP

Chennai: Sachin Tendulkar was in Chennai yesterday to launch the Leo Muthu Indoor Stadium at Sai Ram Engineering College. He was overwhelmed by the rousing reception accorded. He interacted with the students there. Chasing one’s dreams till they are fulfilled was something Tendulkar stressed upon during this interaction. Citing his own example of keeping the World Cup dream intact despite coming close on a few occasions, he said, “It took me 22 years to win the World Cup. It’s not easy when along the way; you come close and lose out on those opportunities. What I would ask all is to continue pushing yourself hard, because success sometimes might just be waiting at the very next step. So, don’t ever lose hope”

Sachin spoke about his life after retirement: When I was playing, it used to be only cricket.But today, I have the time to do other things such as attending various events, and spending time with family. Despite having achieved everything a cricketer possibly could, Tendulkar felt there was a lot left to be done.

Sachin had always enjoyed scoring runs at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. He singled out the Test win in 2008 against England as his most cherished moment. “I can stick my neck out and say that whenever I have played here, the response has always been special. That victory against England (in 2008) wouldn’t have been possible without the support of the crowd,“ said Tendulkar. The Master Blaster seemed focused on giving back to the community in his `second innings’. “My first innings was about going on to the field, chasing my dreams and personal goals. In the second, I want to make as many people smile as I can”, he said.

With the game’s showpiece event, the World Cup just days away, Sachin was  optimistic about Team India’s chances of retaining the trophy. “World Cup is going to be a challenging tournament. But our team is used to challenges. They will rise to the occasion and with your support and prayers they will give their best. He expressed confidence that the Indian team will g0 out and do something special for the countrymen to smile in the cricket World Cup beginning on Saturday.