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'I have this formula: don't jump forward'
Even as speculation grows that Sachin Tendulkar may quit after playing his 200th Test, the senior India batsman says he is in no rush to announce his retirement from international cricket.
"I don't think at this stage I need to do that," said Tendulkar, when asked about his retirement.
"Where is the rush," he told Zee News on Tuesday.
"I have this formula: don't jump forward. This is how I have approached my career."
I am not god; I just play cricket: Tendulkar
With the Board of Control for Cricket in India arranging a home Test series against the West Indies in November, before the South Africa tour, there is talk that it was done so that Tendulkar can reach the milestone at home.
In an incredible 24-year international career, Tendulkar is the highest run-getter (15837 runs at an average of 53.86) with a record 51 centuries in Test cricket.
He announced his retirement from ODIs late last year, having played 463 games, amassing a record 18,426 runs, including 49 centuries at an average of 44.83.
One of the finest exponents of the game, though he is revered by billions of fans as 'God of cricket', the Mumbaikar said he is just a cricketer who "make mistakes" unlike the Almighty.
"Mein Bhagwan nahi hoon [I am not god], I just play cricket; upar wale ki blessings hain; ab tak jo bhi meri life mein aaya uska shukriya [I thank god for his blessings and everything I have achieved so far is because of god].
"We all make mistakes; agar mein mistakes na karta toh kabhi out hi nahi hota. [If I didn't make mistakes then I would have never got out] I just play my game," Tendulkar said.
'I prepare a bit before my match; in general life, mental preparation is required'
Asked how he prepares ahead of a match, Tendulkar replied: "I prepare a bit before my match; in general life, mental preparation is required."
Asked how he managed to hold people's trust for so long, despite the game being mired in so many controversies, Tendulkar said it's because he keeps life simple.
"Since my school, we had simple celebrations; whenever I achieved anything, mithai [sweets] was offered to God. My brother always said, 'let people talk about the match and you move forward'. I have a balanced lifestyle."
'When I was young my dream car was a Maruti 800'
Tendulkar went through a tough phase when his father Ramesh suddenly passed away in 1999, when he was playing in the World Cup in England.
But he hardly got time to mourn the loss, as he flew back and inspired India to victory over Kenya, scoring 140, just three days later.
"I do miss my father; I lost my father in 1999. It's been long time now; so many things have happened since then and I miss him. But I have some wonderful moments and I cherish them. There are times when I rewind, I remember him; but some things can't be changed," he said.
Asked about his dream car, Tendulkar said, "When I was young my dream car was a Maruti 800 at that time."