India's maestro now ‘Don’ Down Under

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Sachin Tendulkar who has created almost every record during his illustrious 23-year career, termed that his first tour Down Under changed him as a cricketer and made him much more tougher. The Indian legend was conferred the membership of the Order of Australia, an honour rarely awarded to non-Australians here on Tuesday.

“My association with Australia started in 1985 when I watched day and night games played there on TV and it became a dream to tour there which got fulfilled during the 1991-92 series. That three and half month's tour changed me as a cricketer. I became much tougher,” said Tendulkar after Minister for Regional Australia, Regional Development and Local Government and Minister for the Arts Simon Crean presented him with the Order.

“It is a huge honour for me. Australia is the country where I love to play cricket most after India. I have fond memories of Sydney Cricket Ground where I got an opportunity to hold Sir Don's bat. The two Test centuries during the 1991-92 tour gave me the self-belief that I belong here. The atmosphere during the 1992 World Cup was fantastic,” he said.

“Sachin has great following in Australia. He holds every record in the book. Earlier, we have also honoured Mother Teresa, Soli Sorabjee and Australian Indian Dr. Vijay Patil,” said Crean. “Cricketers Brian Lara and Clive Lloyd have also been honoured,” he added.

Tendulkar said his most memorable trip to Australia was his meeting with Sir Don Bradman. “I was invited to wish Sir Don on his 90th birthday and BCCI agreed to send me in the middle of a camp.
Shane Warne and I were tense to ask him questions. I still remember his words when I asked him what you would have averaged in today's cricket. He said maybe 70... The natural reaction was why only 70, why not 99.94, he said come on son it is not bad for a 90 year old man. That 3-4 days trip was truly a memorable one,” he said.

The batting genius also spoke how the Aussie spectators gave him a warm reception during the 2007 series. “I got standing ovation in all stadiums where I played. They all believed it is my last trip but I was smiling inside and returned there in 2011. I hope to tour there again as a cricketer or as a tourist,” he said.

Tendulkar hailed the spirit of the Aussies. “They are fierce competitors. But if you play well against them they will compliment you,” he said.

The Little Master hoped the coming India-Australia series will be competitive. “Both the sides will play competitive cricket in the right spirit in the coming Test series,” added the legend who has 15,533 runs in 190 Tests 7 besides a mammoth 18,426 runs in 463 ODIs.