Sachin focussing on Test series rather than his retirement: Ratnakar Shetty

The maestro wants to focus solely on the upcoming two Tests against the West Indies in his last international series.

Ratnakar Shetty

"Tendulkar wants the focus on the Test series rather than on his retirement. His goal is to win these two matches. That's his priority. He is approaching the series like he has always done over the years," Prof Ratnakar Shetty, General Manager Game's Development of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), said yesterday.

Shetty had a long chat with the iconic cricketer at the Wankhede where the Mumbai team had its last Ranji Trophy practice session on Thursday before leaving for Lahli for their season opener against Haryana.

Sunday's Ranji Trophy encounter against Haryana would also be Tendulkar's last first-class match. Shetty, who developed a close rapport with Tendulkar over the years by being a Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) administrator and then as Team India's manager for a couple of tours, said Indian cricket would miss Tendulkar dearly.

"His absence will be felt. His contribution has been immense in creating Indian cricket's brand and that will be missed. He is loved and followed all over the world. He has been a great ambassador of not just Indian cricket but for sports in India as well," Shetty said.