Photographs: Reuters
Sachin Tendulkar is at ease despite a billion-plus fans waiting with bated breath to see him score his landmark 100th international century in the upcoming series against England.
"I'm not thinking of records. I'm just thinking of enjoying this tour. The secret to any performance is not in chasing records. I think about, 'What is the best way to enjoy the game, and how can I enhance that enjoyment factor?'" Tendulkar said.
'If I'm playing well, things can happen'
Enjoying the game is a key component to Tendulkar's success in the last two decades.
"If I enhance the enjoyment then, naturally, the standard of play becomes higher. To me, that is more important.
"If I'm playing well, things can happen. I don't need to go around chasing them (records). It's a process. You construct a solid foundation and build on it," he said.
'I know that I want to enjoy cricket'
Tendulkar also rubbished thoughts of retirement.
"I haven't. I am enjoying every moment. It has been fun.
"In fact, I am looking at how to enjoy the game more and how to improve the standard of play. It is about getting better.
"Nobody knows what is going to happen tomorrow. At least, today I know that I want to enjoy cricket, to enjoy the moment," he was quoted as saying by The Daily Telegraph.
'The idea is to enjoy life, be a happy man'
Tendulkar is spending time with family in England, besides training for the four-Test series. He opted out of the Test series against the West Indies, and preferred to leave for England early.
"When I spend time in England, it is different. I get to do certain things that I wouldn't be able to do in India: to go into the park with my children, to do whatever they want to do, whether it be a game of soccer or cricket.
"I enjoy the best of both. The idea is to balance life in India with life away from India, to get the best of both and to be a happy man."
No thoughts of retirement
Recalling the World Cup semi-final against Pakistan in Mohali, where he scored a shaky 85, Tendulkar said: "The only easy chance was where I looked to chip the ball over midwicket, and I mistimed it.
"The other one was deflected and went to third man."
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