The Little Master says how he could not balance cricket and studies. And what it took him to become the best batsman in the world.

Sachin Tendulkar is revered by millions as the 'God of cricket' but the batsman himself has a very modest take on himself. Speaking to NDTV on the sidelines of the Sunfeast biscuits 'Eat n Meet Sachin' contest on Wednesday in Bengaluru, Tendulkar revealed a bit about himself, his records and a lot more.

On being called 'God of cricket': I am not God of cricket. I make mistakes, God doesn't. (In fact) I have always had (Sunil) Gavaskar and Vivian Richards as my role models and wanted to be a combination of both.

On his 100th international century: Was not jumping or celebrating. My first question to God was why did it take so long? What did I do wrong? With a billion plus people waiting for this, it shouldn't have taken so long...

What if cricket was not kind to him: I would play cricket to avoid studies. (But) I tried to maintain a balance between cricket and studies - it didn't work. Cricket gave me sleepless nights. I would play even if it was dark outside, such was my passion. Difficult for me to imagine a life without cricket. If at all - tennis.

On wearing the national jersey and the work he put in for it: Wearing the India jersey and cap was the ultimate thing for me. After that it didn't matter if I had 10 pairs of jeans or 20 T-shirts. That journey to play for India was incredible. I look back, being pushed around in trains and buses but I would be there well before practice started.

The humble batsman signed off by saying sometimes he wonders how he survived (in cricket) for so long!

Ends/AMA/03/04/13