By IANS
Sydney : Sachin Tendulkar, who endured the agony of seven scores in the nineties, simply blanked out all thoughts of another such ‘miss’ by just avoiding to look at the scoreboard as he approached the three-figure mark.
Admitting that it was indeed a special century since it came after a long list of 90s, Tendulkar said, “It was a little different this time because in 2007 I missed a lot of hundreds and I didn’t want that to continue.”
Tendulkar, who was dismissed on 99 three times last year, added: “I wanted to move on and the beginning of the New Year is extremely important. It came at the right time so I am happy about that. I just didn’t look at the scoreboard, to be honest.”
“I was just sharing my opinion with Harbhajan about how to go on with the innings and build our partnership and continue, and that was the prime focus. That kept my mind pre-occupied with a lot of things.”
“I am very happy with the way the crowds have supported us. Australians are known for that, they enjoy good cricket, they enjoy competitive cricket and it makes the players feel it’s worthwhile to have the spectators to enjoy the game in the right spirit. They know and understand the game very well. It was truly a pleasure to be out there in the middle and get runs in front of the Australian crowd,” said Tendulkar about the ovation he got after the century.
Tendulkar, who crossed 11,500 runs in Test cricket during the course of his 38th Test hundred, was joined by Harbhajan after India lost four wickets for 52 runs in under 15 overs. When Harbhajan joined Tendulkar, India were 345 for seven and still 118 runs short of the Australian total.
“I had to re-think the strategy as we lost four wickets in that period. We had to plan a little different. One big partnership was important,” said the maestro.
“I thought if runs had come earlier with Harbhajan and RP Singh, the same strategy should be applied (for Ishant). Debutant Ishant scored some important runs. What eventually matters is the partnership, and not who takes the initiative. We had these calculations going our way.”
Not only did Tendulkar score well, but he also gave a lot of confidence to his partners, none of whom is a recognised bat. He admitted that he gave enough strike to the tailenders knowingly. “It was our strategy,” he said. “For me there was just one fielder at gully saving one, otherwise all were virtually on the boundary line or half-way down. To try something stupid and get out would have been unwise.”
The SCG crowd gave Tendulkar a great applause when he reached the hundred. It was clearly a special appreciation of a batsman, whom even the legendary Don Bradman acknowledged as one of the finest in the history of the game.
On the SCG, he added, “It is one of my favourite grounds. I’ve enjoyed batting here and it has truly been a memorable one. Sometimes, you walk on to the field and it gives you good feelings. It is one of those grounds.”