Wednesday 3rd June 2009

Sachin: Eden truly special for me
Recollecting his exploits at the the Eden Gardens, Sachin Tendulkar said every one of his outings there was special.
"I always have very fond memories of Eden Gardens right from the day I first played here (in 1991)," said Tendulkar on the sidelines of a promotional event here.
Tendulkar was controversially run out in a Test against Pakistan at the Eden in 1999 that led to play being held up for about three hours due to crowd trouble, and he said he would always cherish the vibrant atmosphere inside the stadium whenever India played there.
"I've seen many good moments of my life and have spent my maximum time there. I would love to capture the moment of going out to bat with a packed stadium and the roaring applause.
"I wish if I could capture the photo with the lively sound around. It would be a great moment to capture," said the 36-year-old who had played nine Tests and 12 ODIs at the Eden.
He said crowd support at the Eden was a major contributing factor for the Indian team's success at this venue.
"The support that we have received here over the years has been truly special. The crowd has always been right behind us. They had a major contribution in Indian team being successful."
The batting maestro picked his unbeaten ton at Chennai Test against England as one of the great knocks of his career. Remembering India's six-wicket win over England after conceding a first innings lead, Tendulkar, who scored 103 not out in second innings, said, "It was a great moment in December last year. The way we played that Test was really special. On the last day, we won that Test.
"For the first three days, we were not up to the mark and from the fourth day after lunch, we started playing better cricket. In a day and half, we turned things around dramatically. Scoring a hundred in that Test was definitely one of the defining moments in my life," said Tendulkar.
Recalling his county days with Yorkshire in 1992, he said, "We had a Sunday club where all the Yorkshire county players were made to play a tie without shirt and socks without shoes, with just a towel wrapped around and roam around in the hotel lobby.
"That would be one of the most embarrassing moments in my life. Unfortunately, I've not been able to capture that moment, or rather fortunately," the Indian ace said.



