I never played cricket for records, it happened: Sachin Tendulkar

After scoring the only double hundred in the history of one-day cricket, Sachin Tendulkar was the man of the moment. Excerpts from the media interaction.

What is your next target after having broken almost all records?
I don’t play for records. I play for enjoyment and passion. I never came to cricket to make records. It just happened.

Where would you rate this innings? Is it the best?
I don’t like to compare innings. But if an innings like this comes in a winning cause, it becomes a special one.

Who do you dedicate this double ton to?
I dedicate it to all my countrymen.

You have been awarded by the state government on this performance. Your take on that...
I respect the emotions showed by the people of my country. Their good wishes are important for me.

Could you please explain the phase that you are passing through in the last one year?
I enjoy challenges. In the last one year, I have come across some of those and enjoyed those. The credit goes to Gary (Kirsten). He held the team together. Sometimes I have seen him working harder than us and that is what motivates us.

Was the pitch of great support?
Sometimes the pitch helps the batsmen and some times it helps the bowlers. But you have to know how to use to the conditions to your favour.

Did you expect the score to reach 400?
After crossing 150, I was expecting a score around 350-360. But Yusuf Pathan and Mahendra Singh Dhoni played fantastic shots to take it over 400.

What were you thinking when you were at 199?
I needed one chance to get the run. But for me, team score was important and so I wanted Dhoni to take more of the strike as he was hitting the ball quite well. I knew the opportunity would come
Did you ever think that SA would have chased down such a target?
This is the team which scored 434 and so we had a discussion in the field and knew that the job was only half done. But the second half of the match was important. Our strategy was to pick up wickets at regular intervals.

It has taken 40 years to score a 200 in ODI. How long do you think this record will be unbroken?
No records are unbreakable. Records are meant to be broken and this record would also be broken. I hope an Indian would break this record.