Speaking at a foundation stone-laying of the Lata Mangeshkar hospital in the presence of the other great Indian, singer Lata Mangeshkar, Tendulkar commented on the defeat of India in the recently concluded World Cup 20-20 matches under the captaincy of Mahendra Singh Dhoni with allegations that the Indian team lost due to its late-night partying spree.
Tendulkar said, “Performance and parties are two different aspects. They cannot be clubbed together. It is the responsibility of each player to decide which matter should be given importance and when. At the same time every player should know well as to when a certain thing should be done or should not be done. Parties have been held in the past too. However, I have not attended a single party, the reason being that I knew that I had to play the match the next day,” he said.
In reply to a question whether the continuous cricket round the year might affect players during their tour abroad, Sachin said, “ If an itinerary is drawn which provides some rest to the cricketers, then definitely it would make a difference in the performance of the players and produce top class cricket. Every player should decide to which matter he should give preference. The importance of Test cricket does not get affected in any manner due to the 20-20 cricket. There are good players in the Indian cricket team that has gone on tour to Zimbawe under the captaincy of Suresh Raina. It would not be fair and proper on my part to comment on the team now,” Sachin said.
Criketers can provide entertainment. However, it’s the doctors’ responsibility to provide good health to the people. Therefore the doctors are the real performers, Sachin added.
