Sachin Tendulkar asserted on Saturday that his commitment to the game and the team is total and unflinching and he will give ''100 per cent'' to his cricketing career in years to come.
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''I would say you can expect 100 per cent commitment and sincerity. Definitely it is in my hands... And committment to the team will always be at the top of my list,'' Tendulkar said after scoring his 35th century in the second Test match against Sri Lanka in New Delhi.
With this unbeaten 100, Tendulkar playing his 125th Test, rewrote history by overtaking Sunil Gavaskar's tally of 34 for the most number of centuries in Test cricket.
The 32-year-old batting mastero is now only six Test behind to equal Kapil Dev's record of playing most Test matches (131).
In his hour of glory Tendulkar did not forget Gavaskar and his coach Ramakant Archrekar.
He thanked Gavaskar for his support saying ''I thank him for whatever support has has given us all. It always helps to have such a senior cricketer who has played so much and achieved so much.It requires a lot of discipline and dedication in life for what he has achieved. Thank you so much,'' he said.
A relaxed Tendulkar said the thought of scoring the record ton did not affect him.
''It was the people who were talking about it, not me... even my wife was saying 'just treat it is another hundred,'' he said.
Tendulkar with 10,256 runs at an average well above 50, reached the three-figure mark with a single off seamer Chaminda Vaas and put up his arms and head in elation. Tendulkar said it was to acknowledge his late father who passed away in 1999.
''I normally don't become so emotional (on the field). There are few moments in my life when I had become so, and this was one such,'' he said.
The mastero was of the view that this century and his first hundred, scored against England way back in 1990 at Old Trafford when he was just 17, as the most satisfying.
But added that from game's point of view, however, ''My century at Perth in 1992 is the best.'' The 35th ton was also Tendulkar's first after the elbow surgery that he underwent in May this year.
He was candid enough to admit that six-month lay-off when he recuperated from an operation was the most difficult of times of his career.
''It was physically and mentally tough. At times, I got very impatient and it was my family and friends, the physio, the doctors and others who helped me through that. It was not a singular effort,'' he said. ''It (the break away from the game) did not help mentally,'' he added.
Asked to describe perfect happiness, the mastero said, ''I don't know.It is a state of mind, it is a tough question to answer. Of course, I am happy at the moment, extremely happy.'' He thanked his fans ''who stood by me, had faith in me'' and assured that that he will continue to give his best as long as possible.
