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Challenging series ahead: Tendulkar

Special Correspondent

— Photo: Paul Noronha

Sachin Tendulkar.

Mumbai: Sachin Tendulkar stepped into his 20th season in international cricket on Thursday, joining the Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) Group’s Global Ambassador list that includes legendary golfer Jack Nicklaus and former Formula One champion Jackie Stewart and Great Britain’s rising tennis star Andy Murray.

Other sportspersons in the RSB’s Global Ambassador list are promising golfers Luke Donald and Paula Creamer.

After briefly fielding questions from Mandira Bedi whereupon he identified values like ‘simplicity and solidity’ he shares with the bank, Tendulkar received a memento from John Baines, Chief Executive, Regional Markets, Asia & Wealth Management.

Nicklaus and Stewart’s video-recorded welcome speech that was short and crisp reflected their affection for India’s champion batsman.

Tendulkar brought an end to the one-hour conference by saying: “I forgot to mention this at the start. It’s great to be alongside legends like Nicklaus and Stewart. There’s one thing common among us; we drive straight.”

Clearly corporates in India and overseas have recognised Tendulkar’s iconic status beyond cricket and a multi-million dollar deal with the RBS Group should see him occupied with promotional activities of the bank in India, Middle East and Asia Pacific region.

“It’s beyond three years,” said Venu Nair, CEO of World Sport Group (WSB), which has been dealing with Tendulkar’s endorsement-related business for the last two years.

When asked if Tests against Australia have become more intense than against Pakistan Tendulkar said: “I think it’s been bigger only because of the competitiveness. From 2000 all the series between us have been close ones.

“We are probably the only side in the recent past which has beaten Australia in Australia. The Australian team likes healthy competition. We were able to surprise them in the last eight years. The India-Australia series has gone to a different level than what it was 16 years ago.”

Commenting on the Australian team he said: “I think they have a lot of experienced players. Australia is the No. 1 team in the world. They will be a force and we are prepared to face the challenge.

“Both the teams will play hard cricket. I have no doubt in my mind that it will be a close series and the Indian public that would be behind us would love it. We had a wonderful tour of Australia last time around. England is the in-form team and it will come to India high on confidence. They have world-class players.”

In the course of a 20-minute interaction with the press, he was asked: “When are you going to retire.” “I think you are in the wrong press conference,” quipped Tendulkar.

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