Sachin Tendulkar recalls Sharjah's desert storm

Mumbai: Legendary cricketer Sachin Tendulkar revealed at an event in Mumbai that he started preparing himself for the 2011 World Cup two years prior in terms of fitness.

The master blaster is the face of IDBI Federal Life Insurance half marathon and he described how staying fit in the latter part of his career kept him going to lift the World Cup.

Sachin holds the enviable record of being the only player to score 100 centuries in the game of cricket but apart from his skill with the bat and ball, he had given greater attention to his fitness. “Whenever I pushed myself physically, I always noticed I did better,” he said.

While discussing his most excruciating experience, the 44-year-old recollected the 1997-98 Sharjah tri-series.

“We had to play two games within the span of 48 hours. It was the month of April and the conditions were not so favourable. The scorching heat pierces through your shoes and troubles you. On top of it, we were facing the unstoppable Australian squad. This is one experience that will always stay with me,” recalled Sachin.