Sachin Tendulkar told those who say he's become less entertaining by cutting out risky shots that it is the outcome of his natural progression as a batsman over 15 years.

Pointing out that his role in the team has changed over the years, the master bastman said, "I do not think I have slowed down as such. It is just that the team consists of 11 players and every individual has a role to play. As you get to be a senior in the team your role changes.

"Maybe people think I have mellowed down; it is not really so. It is just viewing differently, as there are different ways of scoring runs. I think that I am one of the players whose strike rate is among the highest. If you analyze the strike rate, it exactly tells you how fast or how slow you play or how you have played throughout your life," Tendulkar told PTI in an exclusive interview on Tuesday.

He said he is now performing a different role compared to what he was some years ago.

"Eventually what matters is the team's performance. If the team wins, I have done my job," the 31-year-old batting genius said.

He said despite a surfeit of international matches, the present Indian team is the fittest ever, but hastened to add that an overdose of One-Day Internationals is taking a heavy toll on the players.

"But the coach and trainer have been doing a good job for the team, which is heading in the right direction.

"If I have to compare the earlier generation of players to the present lot I have no doubt in my mind that the present team is the fittest.

"I can surely say that we are playing more cricket these days as compared to earlier times. Obviously, if you play more of limited-overs games, it means more traveling; it affects the players' bodies. There is less time to recover in between the games.

"So if you are going to push yourself every now and then as in the present scenario, you are going to cause some load on your bodies. But I can surely say our team is extremely fit now," he said.

Tendulkar also supported the association of foreign experts with the Indian team.

"They are doing a useful and good job. It is for everyone to see the fitness level of the players. All these things matter a lot. When you actually play a game, you can make out the fitness of the players; it is getting better [although] I am sure there is room for improvement.

"We all understand that we are all trying to achieve one goal -- the only way we are going to achieve our target is by working harder and practicing and playing in the right manner.

"We win, we win together and no individual wins or loses," said Tendulkar, who has scored 9,470 runs from 114 Tests at an average of 57.39.

Talking about his back problem, he said, "Sometimes it can trouble me. The doctors have told me that your body will always pass on signals and you can catch them, you can keep control over it but do not allow it to aggravate. I take
precautions and a few exercises also help me."

Asked whether the emergence of players like Virender Sehwag and VVS Laxman had eased the pressure on him, Tendulkar replied: "My responsibility stays the same. I never think what others are doing, because I know others are also doing their best. Sometimes you score some runs, sometimes you fail with the bat.

"If you score runs, people feel you have tried very hard. If you are not among runs, they feel that you have not tried hard enough. Players always give their 100 per cent. But cricket is a game of chances -- sometime you miss out on a chance."

He said ups and downs are a common phenomenon, the same for him and his teammates. "I am very happy that my colleagues have shone collectivity and done well and they fully deserve the results which comes out of only hard work."

Tendulkar, who enjoys a phenomenal record in both versions of the game, reiterated he is not directing his energies towards donning the mantle of captaincy.

"Right now I am not thinking about it [captaincy]. I really do not know at this stage what my mind is but I am pretty happy with my cricket. I am just focusing on my performance and enjoying the game.

"I am giving my best to the cause of the team because whether or not I am the captain, eventually India winning all its matches is more important to me. Even when I was the captain for a short period, I have always said captaincy is not the ultimate thing in my life.

 "As an individual I want to contribute as much as I can for my country's growth in the game, not worrying about who is the captain or whether I should take it up or someone else should take it up. I do not want to focus my energy in that direction," the ace batsman said.

Tendulkar, who forms a formidable opening pair with Virender Sehwag in the one-dayers, said he does not believe in rating their partnership.

"I think we have been a successful pair. Our strike rate of opening stands has always been good as well as the average. I would say that we can put ourselves as one of the best opening pairs in the world. But I have never applied my mind to determine who is number one or two since I do not believe in such things.

"But as long as you are regarded as one of the dangerous opening pairs in the world, that itself speaks volumes about it," he said.

With a One-Day International run aggregate of 13,134 and 37 centuries, Tendulkar welcomed the idea of holding a match between an Asia eleven and World eleven.

"I must say it is an interesting thought. It will be an interesting match. Both sides will be evenly balanced with good bowling attack and strong batting line-up. I am also sure it will be a tough job to pick an Asia Eleven. I am 100 per cent sure that people will love to see that."

Part II: 'Going by one's instinct is the best form of batting'

Design: Imran Shaikh