London, June 3
Sachin Tendulkar has almost every batting record that is there to be made under his belt but the iconic Indian cricketer says he is still not satisfied with his career as he considers satisfaction the beginning of stagnation.

"When you win something or score a century you say you are happy, but not satisfied. Satisfaction is like engaging the handbrake and hoping a car moves forward," Tendulkar told the latest issue of 'Sky Sports Magazine'.

"I am not satisfied yet with my career and what I have done, not at all. I feel the moment you start to feel satisfied, then it is only natural that you begin to cool down and lose it," he explained.

Tendulkar reiterated that he is not even thinking of retirement despite completing more than two decades in international cricket.

"I still love cricket as much as ever. It is my job, but it is also my passion. Cricket remains in my heart, I don't need anything else to motivate me. I dreamed of playing for my country when I was young and it is still my dream, it is still fun for me," the 38-year-old right-hander said. "Life without cricket is unthinkable," he added.

Tendulkar attributed his longevity and recent success to a stricter fitness regime, not playing Twenty20 Internationals and bowling only sparingly.

"I am still learning about the game. I figure something out about my batting all the time, you have to keep your mind open. I learn all the time, those small adjustments, with your footwork or bat swing can improve your game, I love doing that. You never know everything. Mentally that makes you feel so good. That is the best form of preparation," Tendulkar said.

Recalling India's recent World Cup triumph after a gap of 28 years, Tendulkar said when the defining moment of his career finally arrived, he wasn't in the middle of the field wielding his bat, nor was he even on the balcony watching his teammates.

Instead, he was on his own in the dressing room, his hands clasped together, his eyes closed as he prayed in silence. He only knew India had won the World Cup when he heard that cathartic roar reverberate around the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai as his captain, Mahendra Singh Dhoni hit the winning runs against Sri Lanka.

Tendulkar described the experience as "a different kind of feeling, a high, like living on a different planet, it felt as though I was flying." He had waited 22 years for this moment.

For all his personal records - and he boasts the most Test runs and Test centuries, and the most One-Day runs and One-Day centuries - Tendulkar wanted something tangible, a trophy to lift, a medal to wear, and to win something as part of an Indian team.

His fellow players too laud the way Tendulkar has sustained himself at the top level.

"It has been fascinating watching the changes in his approach," said teammate Rahul Dravid. "From being a master blaster, he is now a mistake-proof batsman." While he can't control his body ageing, Tendulkar has increasingly sought to exert more control over his mind.

"You have to be still in your mind, and keep it blank. It is also important to avoid any needless anger," he said. "Growing up, I picked up a lot from my father, who never lost his temper, and I tried to follow that, so I don't lose my cool."

This impenetrable mask doesn't slip away from the cameras either. "I have never seen him lose his temper in the dressing room, he has never thrown his bat around even when given out wrongly," said Indian pace spearhead Zaheer Khan. — PTI

Chandigarh, June 2
There is a certain calmness that comes to someone who has seen the highs and lows of life. Someone who has outrun all in the ‘rat race’ but now knows his place in the scheme of things. Former India spinner Sunil Joshi is going strong at the age of 40. His best years might be behind him, but grit and determination never had an expiry date. The third-highest wicket-taker ever in Ranji Trophy still trains like a thorough professional, works like a 25-year-old and thinks like a hungry-for-more teenager.

He spoke to The Tribune about the highs and lows and cricket in general. Excerpts:

Q: So much cricket has already been played this year. But you must be looking forward to the upcoming Ranji season.

A: A lot of cricket has been played and I must congratulate Dhoni and his boys. We are sitting on top of the world and doing amazingly well in all formats of the game.

About the Ranji season, I am looking forward to it. Although I had 34 wickets last season, I will be starting from zero again. I want to do my best in the company of talented players like Robin, Mithun, Vinay and the new kid, Sreenath Aravind.

Q: About the KSCA, how different is it with former players in charge now?

A: It’s very different. The approach has changed completely and the association feels really close to the players. It is much more open and I think it is a model all States should be looking to use.

Q: Karnataka has been producing a lot of fast bowlers off late. Mithun, Vinay Kumar and now Aravind.

A: I think Karnataka and India both need a good fast bowler. But in Karnataka, earlier it was spinners and then came Srinath, Prasad then Anil Kumble and myself. I am just happy that the State has been able to produce quality bowlers, spin or pace.

Q: You have played under many captains. How do you find Dhoni compared to them? Is he really a ‘lucky’ captain?

A: No, not at all. He is a very cool captain and it is for everyone to see. He believes in his players and that gives them a lot of confidence. It helps the team stick together and also makes them do better. Look at the likes of Virat Kohli, Gautam Gambhir and even Sachin Tendulkar. Everyone is enjoying their position in this side and that is why it is doing well. Dhoni has to get a lot of credit for all that.

Q: One hot topic right now is club versus country. What do you feel about it?

A: I really see it as a personal decision. It doesn’t matter what a team or a club wants. What matters is what a cricketer wants. Every player, wherever he plays, should be able to perform.

Q: There is no spinning talent coming through. What do have to say about that?

A: It is a little disappointing and we have not really seen a good left-arm spinner. We saw glimpses of what Yuvraj can be, but that is something only he can decide on pursuing further. Amit Mishra got a hat-trick in IPL, but this performance has to reflect in international cricket. When you get your chance, you have to make it clear that you are not there as a bench-warmer. You are there to fight your place in the team.

Q: You’ve hit a level which not many spinners have been able to reach. What do you look forward to?

A: My biggest priority is to stay fit. At my age, many of my colleagues are just sitting in their chairs. In a couple of years, I would want a spinner to take up the mantle from me in Karnataka and there are a couple like Ryan Ninan and Appanna.

Q: Finally, if Martin Crowe can make a comeback at 48, why can’t you?

A: Well, I just have to be realistic and moreover, my priority is Karnataka cricket. I just hope we make it to the last two of the Ranji Trophy again.

Paris, June 3
Five-times champion Rafa Nadal sparked off his 25th birthday celebrations on Friday by blowing Andy Murray off court with a 6-4 7-5 6-4 win to reach the French Open final.

Meanwhile, India’s Sania Mirza and her Russian partner Elena Vesnina lost the Women’s doubles final in straight sets to Czech pair of Hlavackova and Hradecka in straight sets 4-6, 3-6.

Andy Murray reacts after losing a point on Friday.

Rafael Nadal serves during his match against Andy Murray in Paris on Friday. Nadal won 6-4, 7-5, 6-4. — AP

The Spaniard, bidding to equal Bjorn Borg's record of six titles at Roland Garros, outplayed the British fourth seed in a three-hour-17-minute display of power and stamina as he set up a much-awaited showdown with Roger Federer or Novak Djokovic. Nadal, who will lose his world number one spot if the Serbian second seed reaches the final later on Friday, was at his brilliant best at times on court Philippe Chatrier.

His amazing court coverage, vicious forehands and crosscourt backhands were too much to handle for Murray, who was bidding to become the first British man to reach the final at Roland Garros since Bunny Austin in 1937.

Nadal, who now has a 44-1 record at the French Open, teased Murray by handing him a few openings. But that was as good as it got as the fourth seed because every time he earned a break point, Nadal slammed the door shut with yet another fizzing winner. — Reuters

Buenos Aires, June 3
Lionel Messi was unharmed when a youngster apparently threw a punch at him as he was leaving a restaurant in his home city of Rosario. The assailant was among a throng of people looking for autographs from the Barcelona star yesterday, a witness told Argentine TV.

It was not clear if the punch landed, or what the intent was. Messi went on signing autographs. "There was a crush of people waiting outside," Pablo Moyano, who was working in the restaurant said.

"There were kids, reporters, photographers waiting ... and one of the kids tried to punch him. I don't know if he pulled it off. He went running afterward."

Associated Press photographer Jose Granta also saw the incident and the youth racing off. "Nothing serious happened," Granta said.

"But the intent for some kind of aggression existed." Other witnesses said the suspect was dressed in the uniform of a school a few streets away. Messi tried to play down the incident on his Facebook page.

"To relax all those people that have asked us about the truth of the accident coming out of the restaurant, tell them I did not receive any blow from anyone. I'm perfectly OK," he wrote. Messi arrived in Rosario, about 500 kilometers (300 miles) north of Buenos Aires, this week for a holiday before practice starts next week for the Copa America — the South American championship. The Copa America opens July 1 with Argentina facing Bolivia. — AP

New Delhi, June 3
Hargopal Club Academy shocked Gush Club by eight wickets in the 35th Lala Raghubir Singh Prize-Money Hot Weather cricket tournament at the Modern School ground here today. Eklavya Diwedi, who scored an unbeaten 71 off 45 balls with seven boundaries and four sixes, was presented the Reebok man of the match award.

Scores: Gush Club: 222 for 7 (Nitish Rana 78, Nakul Sharma 38, Sandeep Raj 37 not out, Ashish Chopra 2 for 59, Varun Sood 2 for 21, Sanjay Verma 2 for 37). HC Academy: 225 for 2 in 32.4 overs (Eklavya Diwedi 71, Dushyant Sharma 62, Unmukt Chand 46, Mayank Sidana 34 not out). — TNS