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"Beneath the helmet, under that unruly curly hair, inside the cranium, there is something we don't know, something beyond scientific measure. Something that allows him to soar, to roam a territory of sport that, forget us, even those who are gifted enough to play alongside him cannot even fathom. When he goes out to bat, people switch on their television sets and switch off their lives. After 269 one day internationals, more than 10000 runs and 27 centuries in limited-overs matches, Sachin Tendulkar, the little master blaster from Bombay, has achieved so much at the age of just 28 years."

"A willow-wielder gifted with such an exciting co-ordination of brain, eye and foot can make the bat do anything. Sachin Tendulkar is born to greatness. There cannot be any doubt about that after the way he has run cricket writers out of superlatives to describe his exploits. He has established new standards of strokeplay as runs flow majestically from his bat much to the delight of crowds all over the cricketing world. The thrilling display of batsmanship is the kind which is all too rare, and for which cricket is better off in this era of packaged sport to match market expectations. It is this hype that is responsible for the young man's larger-than-life image."

This web site is a tribute to this young man who has inspired more than a billion people with his achievements.

Qs.What inspires you?

Ans. Performers on the world scene do pep me up to a great extent. I am inspired by an innings played in search of victory. Sometimes I feel I should do better than that. I should be able to perform better than somebody else. After all, I, or for that matter everybody, wants to win each and every game. And to win what one requires is to be better than the opposition.....take one wicket more, or score one more run than the opposition. It's as simple as this.

Comment. Well, you seem so much inspired by Shane Warne that you bowled leg-spinnersin the one-dayer against Australia at Kochi and even claimed 5 wickets.

Ans. I was initially bowling off-spin in that game. At some time I thought of trying leg-spin against Steve Waugh, hoping to make him play against the spin and trap him. The very first leggie that I bowled he was caught and bowled! Then I decided to bowl leg-spinners to the right-handers and off-spinners to the left-handers. My move paid off. I agree, it was a gamble. But then, not being a regular bowler, I had to experiment.After all, my job is to take the odd wicket or bowl a crucial over or try and bring about a change in the situation. My captain expects this from me.

Qs. Many a time you seem to be sticking out your neck and taking risky decisions. For instance, on the New Zealand tour, a few years ago, you decided to open the innings and opted to bowl the last over of the Hero Cup against South Africa. Well, you succeded most of the time, but aren't you worried about failure and criticism?

Ans. When I decided to open the innings in one-dayers I was very confident of success. So I conveyed my feelings to Azharuddin and Ajit Wadekar. I was also very confident of bowling the last over against South Africa and winning the game for India. I think, I have the required confidence in my ability and the will to perform. Why should I give it up? Why shouldn't I try? Why should I leave a single stone unturned in the quest for victory? Fortunately, till now the moves have paid off !

Qs. What do you think about cricket rankings? There's just less than 10 points' difference between you and Jayasuriya in the CEAT ratings. In such a situation, the rules say, the panel will decide who is no. 1. Does this number business really matter to you?

Ans. I am not really worried about being No.1 or No.2 as long as I am considered among the top few batsmen. To tell you the truth, I have always dreamed about being in the top brass of batsmen. The real value of a batsman is determined when the opposition thinks his wicket is important.......when the opposition sweats that much extra for his wicket. I want the opposition to always be on its toes when they bowl or bat against me. I think, maintaining this reputation gives me enough drive to succeed.

Comment. But, sometimes you seem to be getting out to deliveries that don't deserve your wicket.

Ans. Probably, because of the kind of shots I play. There is a fair bit of risk involved in my style. It is possible that I might have got out playing the same kind of shot twice, but 8 out of 10 times I have got runs on the same shot. That could be a scoring shot. I am trying to improve. You see, I want India to win more often. For this it is necessary that I get runs and get them quickly. Basically, I am an aggressive batsman. You will never see a defensive batsman getting out hooking or pulling. What is wrong is to play a bad or an ambitious shot and get out. Remember, there is a very thin line between an aggressive shot and a bad or ambitious shot.

Comment. A double century eludes you in tests.

Ans. I am trying sincerely. I know a double century is a double century.....

Qs. Do you set goals for yourself?

Ans. I do, but it's series by series.

Qs. What goals did you set when the Australians last toured India?

Ans. I wanted to score a couple of convincing and match-winning centuries.

SACHIN RAMESH TENDULKAR