Tendulkar feared end of his career after 2005 injury
INDIAN cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar finally ended his playing days over the weekend, yet admitted yesterday that surgery on an elbow injury eight years ago had nearly cut short the most prolific batting career in the sport’s history.
International cricket’s leading all-time top run scorer played his 200th and final Test match in his home city of Mumbai, which ended on Saturday with a comfortable win over the West Indies.
Tendulkar played for 24 years, scoring an incredible 15,921 Test runs, yet revealed that at one point in 2005 he was too weak to pick up a child’s bat.
“During the injuries, it was very difficult. To overcome them and play back wasn’t that easy,” said Tendulkar. “After the tennis-elbow surgery, I couldn’t even lift Arjun’s [his son’s] plastic bat. I felt then that I won’t be able to play anymore.”
The 40-year-old revealed that the recent decision to retire was caused by his body finding training sessions increasingly tough, and said he is ready to take some time off.
“I have played cricket for 24 years, and I think I should get at least 24 days to relax before deciding [what to do next],” he joked.