'If I didn't believe, I'd have stayed home' - Tendulkar

[King]

World Cup 2007 'If I didn't believe, I'd have stayed home' - Tendulkar Cricinfo staff March 5, 2007 Sachin Tendulkar refuses to believe that India's 24-year wait for a second world title hangs heavy around his neck ? AFP Heading into his fifth, and likely final, World Cup, Sachin Tendulkar admits that the expectation of millions of Indians isn't as daunting as made out to be, and that if it was, he would have stayed home. "It's not just me, but the entire nation which dreams about this," he told reporters in Jamaica. "It's extremely important. We have tried our best in the past and we will continue to do that. "If there has been no success in the recent past, it doesn't mean that we will never achieve it. If we lose hope, then we may as well be back in India. But we have hope and we have pride." Tendulkar, one-day cricket's highest run-scorer (14, 783 from 381 games) missed India's tour to the West Indies last year, but believed they could do well in the World Cup. "I am looking forward to having a good World Cup. I am hoping that both my batting and bowling will come good," he said. "I am not under any pressure at this time I feel quite confident and I am ready to go." Tendulkar was a highlight at the 2003 World Cup, hitting a record 673 runs as India rode on eight consecutive wins to reach the final against Australia. Greg Chappell, India's coach, said the side had a good chance of clinching their second title but wouldn't let the pressure get to them. "We are one of a number of teams who have a good chance of doing well. We are quietly confident that we have the make-up to do well in the tournament and that's the important thing." Rahul Dravid, the captain, believed India were one of the most balanced sides in the tournament. "We have a pretty good team and we are very confident. I know that all the other teams will be aiming to play their best cricket but we are very confident that this is going to be a very good tournament for us." India play two warm-up matches at Jamaica, against the Netherlands and West Indies, on March 6 and 9, before heading to Trinidad where they face Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Bermuda in the first round of the World Cup.

[King]

Re: 'If I didn't believe, I'd have stayed home' - Tendulkar I think Tendulkar should make no statements, no promises, nothing. That is when he is at his best, the silent Marauder.

[Chandan]

Re: 'If I didn't believe, I'd have stayed home' - Tendulkar

I think Tendulkar should make no statements' date=' no promises, nothing. That is when he is at his best, the silent Marauder.[/quote'] Agree!

[King Tendulkar]

Re: 'If I didn't believe, I'd have stayed home' - Tendulkar He has hardly said anything, hardly bragging etc. He can talk sometimes guys. :hic:

[Chandan]

Re: 'If I didn't believe, I'd have stayed home' - Tendulkar I'd prefer if he lets only the captain and coach to do the talking!

[King Tendulkar]

Re: 'If I didn't believe, I'd have stayed home' - Tendulkar

I'd prefer if he lets only the captain and coach to do the talking!

Fack me! We are not the taliban. Others playing can conduct interviews, quite normal

[gs]

Re: 'If I didn't believe, I'd have stayed home' - Tendulkar

Fack me! We are not the taliban. Others playing can conduct interviews, quite normal

Wondering how a taliban team would look like??!! :chin:

[zubinpepsi]

Re: 'If I didn't believe, I'd have stayed home' - Tendulkar

I think Tendulkar should make no statements' date=' no promises, nothing. That is when he is at his best, the silent Marauder.[/quote'] Agree!

I dont think he has made any promises. he was quite candid in his statement,, he hopes tht his batting ll come good which is a pretty ordinary statement.. Morever, remem WC03.. He was forced to issue a stmt seeing the protests bak in india, when india lost to aus in the initial stages of the WC.. What happnd after his stmt was history for everyone to see... I think hes one such a guy who knows wat he is talking.. doesnt issue any unneccesary stmts unlike others.. ex. veeru sayin he wud make 200 in pak series some 2 yrs ago i guess...

[King]

Re: 'If I didn't believe, I'd have stayed home' - Tendulkar He had made promises just before the South Africa series that they will deliver. We all know what happened then. For me Tendulkar does his best when he lets his bat do the talking. Some guys aren't cut out to make lavish statements, they prevail while not proclaiming. Tendulkar is one such cricketer. Leave all the hoopla to the likes of Greame Smith, Lara, Hayden and Shoaib is what I'm saying.

[Mandrake]

Re: 'If I didn't believe, I'd have stayed home' - Tendulkar I think Sachin is just talking positively..nothing wrong there....it always helps to have the premier batsman of the side in a confident mood.

[yoda]

Re: 'If I didn't believe, I'd have stayed home' - Tendulkar I am fine with players talking about upcoming series. C'mon, what else do we want them to talk about?