I'm not playing for records: Tendulkar

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March 22, 2005 22:48 IST

Sachin Tendulkar said winning the Test series against Pakistan is far more important for him than scoring the world-record 35th century in the third and final Test beginning in Bangalore on Thursday.

"I am not playing for records. I am just playing for the country, for my team and if it (the record) happens, it happens," Tendulkar said on Tuesday, when asked if he is hopeful of surpassing Sunil Gavaskar's mark of 34 Test hundreds in the third Test.

Tendulkar, who has compiled three half-centuries in the ongoing series, underlined the need for India, who are already one-up in the series, to keep up the momentum and do well in the final Test.

"We should see that we have to perform in the third Test. There was a good performance in Kolkata and we have to continue the same here," he said.

Rating Pakistan as a good team, he said the visitors had put up a good performance against the home team.

"They have some promising players and it is important that we play the third Test to the best of our potential and put up a good show."

On Harbhajan Singh being reported again for suspect bowling action, Tendulkar said: "Harbhajan has just undergone a test and I really don't know how come that can come up again.

"In Australia, he had undergone all the needed tests and he came back with a smile on his face which is good to see. And I hope the smile remains on his face for a longer time."

Tendulkar said he has not had a word with Harbhajan on the issue but added, "We are on the eve of an extremely important match. And we would want to leave all these issues behind and focus on the game."

He said India had done well in the series so far. "We have done well. Batted and bowled well. It is equally important on how we play the third game."

Asked if he is in "bowling shape" for the third Test, he replied: "I am in good shape. What's wrong with me?"

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