After 2007 World Cup, we were labelled traitors: Sachin Tendulkar

Sachin Tendulkar

New Delhi: India cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar recollected how disappointed they were after the shock first round exit in the 2007 World Cup and how he was hurt when people questioned the commitment of the players.

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Sachin Tendulkar

In his to-be-released autobiography, Tendulkar writes: "After we returned to India, the media followed me back home and it hurt when I heard my own people doubting the commitment of the players.

The media had every right to criticise us for failing, but to say we were not focused on the job was not fair. We had failed to fulfil the expectations of the fans, but that did not mean we should be labelled traitors. At times, the reaction was surprisingly hostile and some of the players were worried about their safety."

Tendulkar said that the thought of retirement did cross his mind then but family and friends insisted he carry on. "Headlines like 'Endulkar' hurt deeply. After 18 years in international cricket, it was tough to see things come to this and retirement crossed my mind.

My family and friends like Sanjay Nayak did all they could to cheer me up and after a week I decided to do something about it. I started to do some running, to try to sweat the World Cup out of my head."