Richards' call helped me come out of retirement thoughts in 2007: Tendulkar

LONDON: Cricket icon Sachin Tendulkar on Sunday published that a telephone call from West Indies batting legend Vivian Richards helped him alternate his mind after he considered quitting the game in 2007.

It has been neatly documented that Tendulkar changed his mind from quitting cricket in 2007 at the advice of his elder brother Ajit but the Indian batting maestro has now not previous spoken about Richards' role in doing that.

Tendulkar mentioned the 2007 World Cup was once perhaps the worst segment of his career and the game which had shown him the most productive days of his lifestyles was once appearing him the worst days as neatly.

"I felt that was it. At that stage lot of things happening around Indian cricket were not at all healthy. We needed some changes and I felt if those changes did not happen then I was going to quit cricket. I was almost 90 per cent sure of quitting cricket. But my brother told me in 2011 there is World Cup final in Mumbai, can you imagine holding that beautiful trophy in your hand?" Tendulkar mentioned throughout 'India Today' programme here.

"After that I went away to my farmhouse and that is when I got a call from Sir Viv, saying I know there is plenty of cricket left in you. We had a conversation for about 45 minutes and that was so heartwarming because when your batting hero calls you it means a lot. That was the moment things changed for me and from that moment onwards I also performed much much better," Tendulkar recalled.

Richards, who was once also present within the programme, pointed to Tendulkar and mentioned he had "always believed on this little guy".

"I have had the opportunity to play against Sunny Gavaskar, who I have always felt would be the godfather of Indian batting. Then came Sachin, then you now have Virat. But the fact which amazed me the most is how such a small guy be so powerful," Richards mentioned.

Tendulkar also mentioned that losing the World Cup ultimate by the hands of Australia in 2003 was once one of the vital largest disappointments of his lifestyles.

"Yes there was once regret... because we performed so neatly in that tournament. Before that our batsmen were not in excellent house because we performed in New Zealand the place they prepared energetic pitches. When we went to South Africa we began gaining confidence with each match. The handiest staff that we misplaced to in that complete tournament was once Australia.

"I felt we were charged up within the ultimate, could also be a little too much. Sometimes when your aggression isn't controlled, the result tends to move the other way then. If given a chance again we might manner that sport another way," mentioned Tendulkar.

The former India opener picked England, Australia and India as the favourites to succeed in the semifinals within the ongoing World Cup in United Kingdom.

Talking about India vs Pakistan match on June 16, Tendulkar mentioned: "India are in a greater house to win that sport".

Fast bowling legend Wasim Akram mentioned Pakistani avid gamers tried to sledge Tendulkar but realised later that he would now not react.

"Akhtar tried, Waqar tried. Some guys would get disillusioned but Sachin would get extra motivated. I take note when India were about to come to Pakistan, we heard a couple of younger sensation coming from India. And we thought how could a 16-year-old boy playing Test cricket be so excellent.

"But he did not react to provocation from our pacers. Top batsmen do not react. I would get very annoyed when people smiled back. On that tour, Pakistan got to know who Sachin Tendulkar was. We realised this guy was something special," mentioned Akram.

Another Indian batting legend Sunil Gavaskar, Harbhajan Singh, R Ashwin, Shane Warne, Michael Clarke, Younis Khan, Misbah-ul-Haq and Naseer Hussain were also present within the programme.