Body made me declare - Sachin

TENDULKAR: TO COMPLETE TRAINING WAS AN EFFORT

“Somewhere in life and you reach a stage when your body gives you a message, enough of this physical load. I think the body requires rest.”

The only batsman to score 100 international centuries, he admitted it was “becoming an effort” to complete training sessions.

With his last international century nearly three years ago, some had suggested Tendulkar’s retirement should have come sooner, but the “Little Master” bowed out with his god-like popularity intact across India. The crowd at the Wankhede Stadium wept with him on Saturday and deafeningly cheered his name after the Test against the West Indies finished.

He made an emotional and poignant speech on the field thanking everyone who had supported him, before being hoisted on his teammates’ shoulders for a lap of honour around the field.

Tendulkar, who made a cup of tea and had a “relaxed” breakfast with his wife Anjali after waking up yesterday, said the finality of his retirement was yet to sink in.

“I don’t know why but it is yet to strike me that I’m not going to play cricket anymore,” he said.

Tendulkar remained tightlipped over his future plans, but said he would like to help “the next generation” of cricketers and stay associated with the game on some level.

“It’s just 24 hours I’ve been retired, at least give me 24 days to take rest. I’ll decide after that,” he joked with the media.

After his farewell match, he became the first sportsperson to receive the Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian award, which he dedicated to his own mother and all other Indian mothers for the “thousands” of sacrifices they make for their children. –