Khaleej Times

My second innings is about doing what gives satisfacti­on: Sachin

- IANS

new delhi — It has been four years since Sachin Tendulkar retired from competitiv­e cricket, but the game is so ingrained in his head that he only talks of his life and work in terms of innings. In his “second innings”, the master blaster says, he is focussed on doing whatever gives him satisfacti­on.

Whether it is about associatin­g himself with events and activities involved in charities or supporting causes close to his heart — Sachin is looking to “give back”.

“The first innings of my life was in the middle of the field, constantly chasing targets set by the opposition. But my second innings is about satisfacti­on,” Sachin said as he opened up his emotional side.

“As long as there is a purpose behind doing something in life, that gives you satisfacti­on. And that you only get when the heart tells you that, ‘Okay, you’ve done something well,’” he said.

“That is another journey, another chapter that has started in my life. We all try our level best to do various things (for others) and these are things that give me satisfacti­on. And I’ll continue to do them because this is a longer journey,” added the 44-year-old as he

It’s good for people to have expectatio­ns ......... I felt that way even on the field Sachin Tendulkar

delved into post-retirement life.

He feels he’s in a good space now. Sitting back and reflecting upon how life has played out for him, and how he has played it his way. Now he is going to share the journey with his fans worldwide with Sachin: A Billion Dreams —a documentar­y drama with real-time footage from his personal and profession­al highs and lows.

A billion hopes, perhaps, will be pinned on him — once again — when the movie releases on May 26. Sachin says he can feel the same edge-of-the-seat thrill as he felt before he walked into a stadium full of people rooting “Sachin, Sachin” in unison.

“It’s good for people to have expectatio­ns... I felt that way even on the field. Can you imagine I am walking into the stadium and nobody from the stands is expecting anything from me? That would be a wrong place to walk out (from),” he said.

Emotions play a huge part in his life — evident when the star cricketer takes a long pause to reflect on the most emotional phases of his life. “There were two moments, I would say. Since we’re discussing highs and lows... The lowest was when I had lost my father. That was an irreparabl­e loss, and I knew whatever happens in my life post 1999, he won’t be there to share it. That was a huge loss,” he said.

“The highest point has to be the 2011 World Cup which we won,” said the young achiever, who has been feted with national honours like Bharat Ratna, Padma Shri, Padma Vibhushan, Arjuna Award and Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna.. —

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Sachin tendulkar

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