Mumbai: Sachin Tendulkar's ability to adjust to various conditions is well known and that hallmark of his was once again evident on Friday when he spoke to a select group of kids here. Fast blossoming as a fine orator, Tendulkar not only spoke as a former India player but also as a doting father and more importantly as a friend.
Directing his young admirers to zealously pursue their dreams, the 40-year-old also advised their parents to back their kids and allow them make their mark in their chosen field of interest.
“I dreamt and I chased my dreams. It applies to each and every child. There comes a stage where you have to become serious in life. You have got to dedicate, you need to have discipline, you need to have focus and if you want to succeed there has to be consistency in your concentration level.
“Your concentration level cannot have dips for a long period. There are professions where you need to switch on and switch off.
But someone like a doctor, who is in the middle of the surgery, you cannot switch off,“ he said.
Recently conferred with the Bharat Ratna, the batting maestro stressed on the importance of self-belief. “If you are on the right path, nothing can stop you. All you need to have is self-belief and determination and things will change. You can't be stopped at a red signal forever. Wait for your opportunity and don't give up,“ he said.
The leading run-scorer in international cricket said he gradually got used to computer to analyse his batting.
“Computer is not going to bat for me, it is not going to bowl for Zaheer Khan or Harbhajan (Singh). But over a period of time I realised that the data stored was accessible within seconds. If I wanted to see how I batted in Australia in 1999, in year 2007, it was available in five seconds. When the data was easily available, I accepted it,“ he added.
Talking about his own kids, he said, “My daughter wants to become a doctor which is a fantastic thing. I am glad she is following in her mother's footsteps. My son is passionate about cricket.“
