Tendulkar began thinking of 2011 World Cup win after 2007 loss
Batting maestro Sachin Tendulkar dreamt of World Cup 2011 glory soon after the 2007 edition ended in disaster for India.
- mid-day.com
- Updated: April 05, 2011 10:39 AM IST
Batting maestro Sachin Tendulkar dreamt of World Cup 2011 glory soon after the 2007 edition ended in disaster for India.
Did you ever dream that you would win the World Cup at the Wankhede Stadium?
That was my dream after we lost in 2007. I took up that challenge. I said, the next World Cup is in Mumbai and this is where I would want the trophy. It was a challenge and I started working towards that.
When exactly did you start thinking about the 2011 World Cup?
After the 2007 World Cup when we got to know that the next one is in India and the final would be held in Mumbai. That is when I felt that this is the place where we have to lift the trophy.
How could you be so positive? After all, it was a dismal time for India... our cricket had just crashed...
Yeah, it was really tough. My family and friends really supported me at that stage. It was probably the toughest phase of my career and I was really demoralised.
Friends and family helped. Talking about the World Cup in India at that time was something which motivated me.
The final in Mumbai... that was a greater motivation because here is where I grew up playing cricket. I wanted to do something really, really special here in India and Mumbai.
Does this World Cup win send out a strong message about never giving up on a dream?
Absolutely! I firmly believe that one should never ever give up in life and that is something which happened in my case. It is never too late. Even after 21 years (of international cricket), you can still go out and win the World Cup.
During the 2003 World Cup, you kept singing and listening to 'Jaane Kya Doondta Hai' by Lucky Ali. What was your favourite song in this World Cup?
This time, I was listening to U2's Where The Streets Have No Name. Most of the time, I was listening to this song for pleasure and satisfaction.