‘Wonder how Sachin Tendulkar remains so modest’

VVS Laxman opens up to DNA about his long-time batting partner.

On meeting Sachin Tendulkar for the first time and the first impression
I met Sachin for the first time in 1994 when we were travelling by train for a benefit game. I was playing under-19 cricket back then. He came across as someone who was exceptionally talented and had an abundance of potential.

On any trait in his personality that stands out
Everyone knows what a great player he is and what his achievements are...the number of hundreds and the number of runs he has got. What stands out for me is the person Sachin Tendulkar is. Since 1994 till now I have not seen any change in him. Of course it is difficult for him to oblige everyone because everyone wants a piece of him. He has never changed and his respect for elders remains the same. He has always been modest and humble about his achievements. He has a great value system and is a great family man. I sometimes wonder how he remains so poised and so humble in a country where cricket is more of a religion and he is the God.

On any shot which you wish you had in your repertoire
I don’t see any particular shot...It is the balance that he has when he plays his shots. His balance is the secret behind all his success.

On favourite Sachin Tendulkar innings
Got to be the hundred he got against Australia in Sharjah, 1998. I was at the non-striker’s end. I have seen so many of his knocks that it is difficult to single out any one. But that century stands out because he really dominated the Aussies. The other innings that I liked was the century he got against South Africa in Cape Town, 1996. The double hundred he got against Australia in Sydney was special because of the kind of control he had over his game and over his thoughts. No one can also forget the century he got against Pakistan in Chennai or the hundred he got recently against England. The more and more you think about it the more and more you realise the number of special innings he has played.

On favourite Tendulkar story
There are so many but all I can say is that I had a great time sharing the dressing room with him. All of us are very fortunate to play alongside him. He is a great human being and a great role model... not only for cricketers but for the youngsters. The way he has handled himself despite shouldering such a burden of expectation...

On him completing 20 years in cricket
I just hope that he carries on because he is still like a young kid who has just started his cricket. He is always hard working, always looks to improve even after 20 years in the game and the kind of love and passion he still has for the game is amazing. That is the secret behind him playing for so long. I just want him to score more and more runs...like the one he got against Australia (175) in Hyderabad. I want him to be happy and I wish him all the best.