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'2007 WC loss was more painful than my failure as captain'

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Posted: Nov 10, 2009 at 1622 hrs IST
Sachin tendulkar getting out

New Delhi 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 a TV 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 team-man."

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4 giants (sachin, ganguly, dravid, kumble) are playing for 19-20 years but no W/C for India is shamful by real bharatiya on 11 Nov 2009

It was shame for Indian ckt to be out in the 1st round of W/C 2007. Sachin, ganguly, dravid, kumble (played for 20 years), shewag, bhajji (10 yrs). All the world class batsmen Kapil, Inzy, Miandad, Jaysurya, D'silva, S.Waugh, Gilly, Ponting made their countries W/C winner but sachin has no such guts to lead the team from the front. Sachin has no ODI 100 in his 1st 75 ODIs but when Azhar made him opener, he made 100s. To make 100 for opener is easy but at No.4-5 is not that easy but Azhar, Inzy, D'silva, S.Waugh, Ponting are not opener & they made their winner in many crusial matches. To make 17000 runs is not important but to play 4 Indian giants played for 20 years & no w/c for India is shamful.

2007 w/c by Harish on 12 Nov 2009

I totally agree with you. I wonder why on the eve of loosing to Australia in 2009 ODI he is harping back to 2007 disappointment? Is he not disappointed at the indiscreet shot at Hyderabad that has cost India the series? May be he is trying to shift attention from it by racking up 2007.To me his 17,000 runs have not as much value as he single handedly winning Hyderabad ODI and as it turned out leveling the series. when it comes to Sachin, we forget cricket is a team game and not tennis.

yes, sachin, sometimes is danger but not always by real bharatiya on 13 Nov 2009

It is proved that sachin cannot maintain consistency in his game. In earlier match(HYD), he made 174 & in very next match (Gauhati), he got out at 10. He again played wrong shot & got caught & bawl. Thus sachin cannot handle pressure that other world class players handle. U must hv seen that Inzy had lead his team to victory in matches when top order calloups. Inzy has made 100 partnership in last 10 ovrs. Sachin is sometime danger but not always. He even failed make India win in some crucial matches on Indian soil.

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