Wouldn't have skipped ODIs if I cared for records: Tendulkar

Sachin Tendulkar has always stressed that he never plays for records and it was no different when the media asked him to describe his feelings after completing the historic milestone of 50 Test centuries.

-Congratulate Tendulkar on his 50th Test ton

"I never think about records. I love to focus on preparation and trying to give more than 100 percent on the field. I love to play. Try and keep improving. If I would have been chasing records, I would not have opted out of a few ODIs. I believe in producing quality cricket whenever I step on the cricket field.

Talking about his milestone-achieving knock, Sachin said, "Scoring in a situation like this gives one immense pleasure. All of us know how the wicket behaved on the first day of the match. I don't want to give any excuses but the wicket was different only on the 1st day.

"It was extremely important to bat well in the 2nd innings. It was even more important to send a loud and clear message that we can fight back strongly. I think we have done that."

However, the legend feels that his knock of 136 vs Pakistan in Chennai (1999) was the most difficult knock of his career.

"I think my knock of 136 against Pakistan at Chennai was toughest. The wicket was really deteriorating and the quality of the bowling attack was outstanding."

Sachin also attributed his good show to the bat he has been using for almost a year now.

 50 Test tons and counting for Tendulkar

"God has been kind to me. Yes, this bat has given me some amazing service. Normally, a bat doesn't last that long. You may get one bad awkward ball which keeps low and bat gets broken at the toe end.

"I have been lucky as far as this bat is concerned. I know that this bat is not in best condition as I have been using it for so long. I have few bats that are absolutely match-ready. But the moment, I pick up this bat, I feel no one can get me out," Sachin said with a broad smile.

For the record, Sachin has scored 12 hundreds with this bat including first ever ODI double century.

About the state of the match, Sachin said, "I won't rule out a possibility of us saving this Test match."