'I have played with a lot of passion'

As Sachin Tendulkar completes his 20th year as an international cricketer, India Today's Sharda Ugra sat down with him and discussed his international career, his opinions on the modern game and his hunger and competitiveness for cricket.

Q. How did you succeed against bowling duels where your batting was completely tested? Which would you say were the best of the duels that you handled? A. I thought in England in 2007 I played that played spell of Ryan Sidebottom. I was not playing any shot. I just played almost close to six-seven maiden overs, I just kept blocking and leaving and kept getting beaten also. He was bowling well and I knew that that was the most important phase of that Test match. I thought that if we see through the spell then the doors are going to open for us and when we can play some shots.

Exactly that is what happened and that set us in a dominating position and after that we had the upperhand and we ended up winning that Test match, the second of the series. That particular patch I can say where I was mentally strong. I got beaten on various occasion. The guy was bowling well, I was smiling at him and I was saying, 'Fine, you still have to get me out.' It was a good challenge. And today I look back and feel yes, I did that job.

Q. It's a surprising incident you've mentioned because people normally think of your attacking batsmanship. Any incident of that kind? A. You do remember different kind of incidents. Well, probably in Nairobi when we were playing 2000 Champions Trophy. We had won the toss and were batted in overcast conditions against Australia. The wicket was also damp and the way Glen McGrath bowled the first over, I told Sourav, 'Just give me freedom for a couple of overs because I want to do something.' I felt otherwise he's going to come and bowl six-seven overs, four maidens, seven runs and take two-three wickets and, we'll go down slowly but surely. I said to Sourav, 'I'll do something, you just give me freedom' and he said, 'Okay, just go ahead.' I started stepping out and hit McGrath a couple of sixes. He bounced and I hit him, exchanged a few words, disturbed him. I did something different and sort of it worked. I remember that particular match - we won it.