Tendulkar saddened by 'fixing' episode

Senior India batsman Sachin Tendulkar said people bringing disgrace to the game makes him sad as it leaves a bad impression on cricket, which should always head in the right direction.

"Yes. It doesn't leave a good impression about cricket and cricketers. It is something one would like to erase and make sure cricket heads in the right direction so that it helps cricket to grow across the globe," Tendulkar said on Tuesday.

The sport has recently being marred by a spot-fixing scandal after British tabloid News of the World exposed London-based bookie Mazhar Majeed predicting no-balls bowled by Pakistani bowlers Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Aamir for taking cash on camera.

In an interview to television channel Times Now on the occasion of 'joy of giving', Tendulkar said his father has always been the most influential figure in his life.

"My biggest influence has been my father. He has left a huge impact on my life. As a child I learnt a lot just by observing him. The culture and values of my family have made me what I am," he said.

Photographs: Reuters

Tendulkar said the 1999 Cricket World Cup, when his father Ramesh Tendulkar died, was the most difficult phase of his life but it was the strength of his family that helped him to ride over that emotional crisis.

"It was the most difficult moment of my life. I came back from England midway through the World Cup. But my mom, wife, brother, everybody told me that my father would have wanted me to go back and play and so I did," Tendulkar said.

Asked about his retirement plans, Tendulkar said he has not thought of it yet.

"I have not thought about it. There are no retirement plans, I will tell you when I decide," he said.

Tendulkar said cricket has always been the centre stage of his life right from the childhood days as he had always dreamt of playing for India.

"Right from school days, I had the love and passion for the game. Playing for India was the ultimate dream. Whatever happened in my life happened around cricket. It has always been at the centre stage. Cricket helped me to grow," he said.

Asked about how his mentor Ramakant Achrekar, who used to place a coin on his stumps while coaching, Tendulkar said those coins are as good as gold medals for him.

"Those coins are gold medals for me. It was a huge challenge for me to survive when he used to make me bat after playing the whole day. He used to play coins on stumps and I had to survive with around 40-50 fielders around.

"Any one caught the ball and I was out, so I had to play carefully. At that time I was feeling tired but today when I look back I realise how those things made me what I am," he said.