Sachin Tendulkar
rates the 2007 World Cup cricket debacle as the
worst moment of his professional career and blamed
the setback on a batting order blunder.
India could not make it to the Super Eight stage
of the high-profile tournament in the West Indies
and crashed out after defeats against Bangladesh
and Sri Lanka.
Tendulkar did not say a word on Greg Chappell,
insisting he
would not disclose
dressing room secrets, but had no doubt that the
batting order was far from perfect.
"I felt our batting
order was not right," said Tendulkar, who batted
at number four with Robin Uthappa sent ahead of
him.
"It was a big tournament and we had a fantastic
team. Everything looked well set but I felt our
batting order was not right. This was one of the
reasons (behind India's early ouster)," the
champion batsman told 'Times Now' channel.
Chappell was nearing the end of his tumultuous
coaching stint with India, having ticked off
senior players, including Tendulkar, with his
high-handedness. The Mumbai player, however,
refused to disclose anything.
"I would not go into the details, for I believe
what happens in the dressing room should stay in
the dressing room. But of course, things could
have been different," Tendulkar said.
Bangladesh thumped India by five
wickets in the first Group B match at Port of
Spain and Tendulkar said it was a freak match for
his teammates.
"We did not play the way we were expected to. It's
not that the players did not try enough. We tried
our best but there are days when things don't go
your way and it was one of those days," Tendulkar
said.
Tendulkar said
the early ouster was more painful than his own failure
as captain of the team even though he has no regrets
for failing to make a mark as the skipper of the side.
"No regrets at all. Captaining is not about an
individual but a team," he said. "Of course it was
painful whenever team lost but losing the 2007 World
Cup was more disappointing," Tendulkar added.
Tendulkar, who would be completing his 20 years of
international cricket on November 15, said
fitness-wise, he was feeling alright and was looking
forward to playing in the 2011 World Cup.
"Touchwood, my body is holding up nicely. Of course
I'm looking forward to the 2011 World Cup and by God's
grace, we should be able to achieve what we want to
achieve," he said.
Asked how he would like to be remembered once he hangs
up his boot, Tendulkar said, "As somebody who played
for the team and was true, sincere and honest as a
member of the side...as somebody who has given it all
and wanted to be a good teamman."
