Tendulkar says not playing cricket to prove anything

Cape Town:

Sachin Tendulkar on Sunday said he is not playing cricket to prove anything to anybody but because of the sheer love of the game and he is still enjoying the game.

"I have not started playing cricket to prove anything to anybody and I don't think even Rahul (Dravid) or any other does that. We started playing because of the love of the game and while doing that at times we perform and at times we don't," Tendulkar said.

"People say you should do this and that but the important thing is the enjoyment and your contribution to the team. It need not be about big runs or wickets, even making a small contribution to the team it matters. It's all about contribution and satisfaction," he added.

Tendulkar, who holds the record of scoring most runs in both Tests (12,773) and ODIs (16,684), said for him it's not about statistic but enjoyment and satisfaction.

"Statistics could be a form of reflection of what a player has contributed but for me it is about enjoyment and not statistic. If you have statistics but there is no fun factor or hunger to play and then there is no use of playing," Tendulkar said.

"I am still enjoying playing the game which rules my heart. There is still competitiveness (in me) I want to win and don't want to lose," he said.