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Captaincy is like life says Sachin

Even though the Indian team has announced the same set of 14 players for the Bombay Test against the Sri Lankans, skipper Sachin Tendulkar hinted at changes in the side that will play a quadrangular series in Sharjah next week.

When the media, at the end of the washed out Nagpur Test, pointed out to Tendulkar that India's main strike bowler Anil Kumble had yet to deliver the goods, the captain said cryptically, "a few changes have been advocated."

Tendulkar hastened to point out that coach Anshuman Gaekwad had spoken to the legspinner and sorted out a few changes in his bowling action. "I am sure Kumble will get back his rhythm and win matches for India," he said.

Asked why Ceat International Cricketer of the Year Venkatesh Prasad was not considered for the first two Tests, Tendulkar said, "It is the selectors who decide the team.Though we all take part in the discussions, it is the selection committee or, for that matter, one selector alone who selects the team."

"The final authority are the selectors," he added.

When the discussion veered around to the captaincy, Tendulkar was emphatic: "It is a great honour to lead the country and win matches. But winning matches is more important than staying as captain. Whether I remain captain or not, the bottom line is to win matches. It is not at all important to remain captain for a long, long time."

Comparing the captaincy to the life of a debutant in Test cricket, he explained that, "it takes some time to settle down. Life is a never ending, learning process and the same goes with the captaincy."

Tendulkar said the team for the Bombay Test would be decided after checking out the Wankhede track. "I have not played at the Wankhede stadium for the last two years, but from past experience it is a turner from the first day."

The skipper said he was keen to get back to three figures soon. "I was disappointed not to have got a good score at Nagpur though I started with a bang," he said, adding that he was shocked to see the bails dislodged after a Pushpakumara delivery was deflected onto the stumps via his thigh guard. "It was the first time in my career that I got out in this fashion."

When one journalist asked how he could play such a shot before settling down, Tendulkar was swift to respond, "This is my natural game. I always believe in playing my natural game.''

Meanwhile, Ramakant Desai, chairman of the selectors, says the groundsman at the Wankhede stadium has been instructed to prepare a track which will last all five days of the Test. Such action has become necessary after the Cricket Board received complaints about the nature of the wicket from the captains of the teams which participated in the Irani Trophy, the Challenger series and Golden jubilee series.