Sachin Tendulkar - The True Legend

Sachin Tendulkar begins a third decade in world cricket next week, insisting he is still as passionate to play for India as he was as a wide-eyed teenager 20 years ago.

"My love for cricket and the honour of playing for my country have kept me motivated all these years," said Tendulkar.

"Cricket is my life and I am lucky and absolutely honoured that I have been able to wear the India cap for 20 years."

He has risen to become the world's most successful batsman in both Test and one-day cricket, a result of both his unparalled genius with the bat and amazing longevity in the game.

When he started,  Mahendra Singh Dhoni was an eight-year-old schoolboy and team-mates Ravindra Jadeja and Virat Kohli were barely a few months old.

"We call him 'grandpa' in the dressing room," joked compatriot Yuvraj Singh. "But he is just amazing. He has achieved everything there is to achieve, but still wants to improve with every game.

"Frankly, I can't think of an Indian team without Tendulkar."

Former captain Ganguly calls him "the king of cricket", West Indian great Viv Richards, one of Tendulkar's childhood heroes, regards him as "99.5 per cent perfect."

For his countless fans, Tendulkar is a joy to behold. For there may never be another like him again.

Source: Cricket Nirvana