Chennai, Nov. 14: There is little that has not been said or written about Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar. No batsman in the glorious history of the game has been forced to undergo such massive dissection. With the pads on, he has been regal, and off it, a warm human who has set the right example.

It is difficult to believe that Tendulkar this day completes 20 years in the international circuit. No batsman has enjoyed the game more than him. The exterior could say a different story, but to this day Tendulkar approaches a fielding session with the same excitement, as a kid would with his first day with marbles and tops.

"I did not start with the intention of making money and it has remained the same way throughout. There is nothing else in the world that has given me more satisfaction than doing well for the country. I am thankful for having been given an opportunity to represent India," said Sachin. The humbleness that marks the man has not changed a bit.

The game has undergone vast changes in the last two decades. In an era where staying in the same hotel for a week is a luxury, Sachin has made the precise changes to meet the demands. Preparation is the key and Tendulkar’s ability to adapt has been central to his success.

"There is hardly any time to go back and work on your game and I think that is the biggest challenge. It is important to be specific with preparation. A tour to each country is totally different.

"Youngsters will have to understand this and prepare accordingly," explained Tendulkar.

From playing the single hero to being a part of a multi-starrer, the Master Blaster’s roles have changed over the years.

From the early 90s, when failure from Tendulkar spelt doom for the team, things changed for the better with the advent of good batsmen. He slipped into each role with élan.

"The important thing is to know your role and play according to the situation. To me nothing has been more important than winning and whatever my team requires I will try my best to fulfil it," said Tendulkar.

By his own admission, the toughest phase for Tendulkar was the 1999 World Cup.

His century against Kenya was an education. To put a very personal loss aside and put the country ahead is the stuff of legend.

There have been occasions where he has put behind personal and physical trouble to script wins.

In the 2003 World Cup, Tendulkar’s body had more cracks than a fifth day Green Park pitch but he hung on till the final.

The endorsements, the millions that have followed, the adulation, the wax replica at Tussauds are all by-products of hours of sweat, single minded devotion and an enthusiasm that just refuses to die.

"I would like to be remembered as someone who tried hard and always gave his best for the country." Well if there is one sportsman who doesn’t need to emphasise the fact it has to be Tendulkar.

An athlete who takes tremendous pride in his performance, the going has not been easy. The defeat to Pakistan in the 1999 Chennai Test and the recent loss to Australia in Hyderabad will rankle him for long. And he has never made a secret of that. At the same time the disappointments have not affected his approach in the next innings.

There is a lot for batsmen — indeed all sportspersons — of future generations to learn from this.

All his playing life, Tendulkar has carried the hopes of an entire nation. Sometimes, the load on his shoulders has been unreasonable, but there has not even been a murmur from his side. The clock has ticked to 20 years. The runs have remained exclusive to his teams, but the joy they have spread are universal.