Sachin Tendulkar says the wear and tear of playing international cricket for over 15 years has started taking its toll on his body.
The 31-year-old batsman, regarded as among the world's best batsmen for most of his career, was overshadowed last season by the good form of team mates Rahul Dravid and Virender Sehwag.
"The back problem is such that every morning I wake up I don't feel the same. But I've learnt to deal with that," Tendulkar said on Friday during a fitness camp for next month's Asia Cup one-day tournament in Sri Lanka.
"After playing for 15 years there is going to be wear and tear. You just have to try and cope up with all these things."
But Tendulkar dismissed suggestions that his role in the team is diminishing.
"I never felt that (I had a bigger role than others). I always felt that this is the Indian team playing. There are 10 other players who are very, very good, world class players."
Tendulkar said in the past two years he has had to work extra hard and innovate to outwit increasingly sharp opponents.
"It's not that I am the only one doing different things. The opposition has also been playing a different role."
Tendulkar, who made his debut against Pakistan in 1989 as a 16-year-old, is India's second-highest Test run-scorer behind Sunil Gavaskar. He holds the world record for both runs and centuries in one-day cricket.