India's batting legend Sachin Tendulkar Sunday said it would be tough to predict when and who will break his record of 100 international centuries but hoped to see an Indian surpassing it
"I don't know. I don't think you can predict that (whether it will be surpassed). I guess all the records are meant to be broken but I hope it's an Indian," said Tendulkar during a felicitation programme here to commemorate his 100th international ton that he achieved during the recently held Asia Cup.
Asked about his reaction after completing his century against Bangladesh, Tendulkar said: "When I reached my 100th 100, I looked at my bat and looked at the sky and asked god what wrong did I do, why did it take so long."
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Tendulkar, however, said that there were no celebrations after scoring the 100th century since India lost the match against Bangladesh.
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"I don't think that we are celebrating that one match. Where I am right now took 23 years and not one match. I feel the result was very important. It was very disappointing. The day I got the hundred there was no celebration," he said.
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The 38-year-old Tendulkar also said that no one should tell him when to retire. Tendulkar made it clear that he does not intend to retire anytime soon and left open the possibility of playing in the 2015 World Cup.
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The master batsman, who will turn 39 next month, took on his critics who have been suggesting that he should retire from the one-day format of the game and focus on Test cricket. Kapil Dev, Imran Khan and some other former greats have in fact expressed views that he should have retired from ODIs when India won the 2011 World Cup.
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"I feel that when I retire is something that I would decide because when I started was not decided by someone else. Those who are advising me about retirement did not bring me in the team," he said.
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Tendulkar, who reached an unprecedented milestone in the game's history of making 100 international centuries nine days ago in Dhaka, was uncharacteristically blunt about his critics and said, "I feel those who say you should retire at the top, are selfish because when you are at the top, you should serve the country instead of retiring."
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Asked about the prospects of his playing the 2015 World Cup to be held in Australia and New Zealand, Tendulkar refused to be drawn into any predictions but clearly did not rule playing in the tournament.
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"When this question was asked in 2007 (about the 2011 World Cup), it was tough for me to answer. It's the same situation."
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"I don't know what to say about 2015, if people keep praying for me, that means a lot for me. I will keep trying, the rest is in god's hands. I just want to enjoy the game. I don't want to set targets," he added.
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Tendulkar also said that it would be selfish on his part to retire on top.
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"When I feel I don't have that, on that day, I will think of retirement. I feel those who say you should retire at the top are selfish because when you are at the top, you should serve the country instead of retiring. I play for the team, not for my personal records", said Tendulkar.
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Tendulkar said he was unhappy with dressing room discussions being leaked to the media.
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"I think what happens in the dressing room should stay in the dressing room. That is what I feel personally," he said.
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Tendulkar also said that being named in Don Bradman's all-time Test XI was the biggest compliment.
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"I think the best compliment was from Sir Don Bradman when he announced his all-time Test XI and I was part of that squad. That would be the best compliment," he said.
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The batting maestro said he draws strength from his coaches and family. "I get my strength from my coaches and family," he said.
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