No one can tell me when to retire, says Tendulkar

Following the milestone there was speculation Tendulkar, 39 next month, would use the occasion to announce his retirement from one-day internationals at the least.

Tendulkar had been marooned on 99 centuries since last year’s World Cup with a number of former India greats, including Kapil Dev, calling for the right-hander to step aside for a younger generation.

Tendulkar, Test and one-day cricket’s leading runscorer, is not ready to do that just yet, though, and even left the door open to play on until the 2015 World Cup.

“No one can tell me when to retire because those advising me about retirement did not bring me into the team,” Tendulkar said at a function to mark his century of centuries in his home city Mumbai. “I will decide when to retire.

“I feel those who say you should retire at the top are selfish because when you are at the top you should serve the country instead of retiring.”

Asked whether he might remain until the next World Cup in Australia and New Zealand – when he would be 41 – Tendulkar added: “When this question was asked in 2007 (about the 2011 World Cup), it was tough for me to answer. It’s the same situation. I don’t know what to say about 2015. If people keep praying for me, that means a lot for me. I will keep trying, the rest is in God’s hands. I just want to enjoy the game. I don’t want to set targets.”

Tendulkar admitted his wait for his 100th century, which came during the Asia Cup against Bangladesh in Dhaka, had been frustrating.

“It was a tough phase and there were times when I did not bat up to my expectations,” he was quoted as saying in various Indian newspapers.

“But I never lost hope. Remember, I also waited for 22 years to win the World Cup. When I finally got the century, I asked God what I had done wrong, why did it take so long”.

New Zealand made a solid start in response to South Africa’s total of 474-9 on day three of the final Test at the Basin Reserve.

Opener Daniel Flynn left countless deliveries with ease en route to 35 from 85 balls. Martin Guptill, on 28 not out, also looked mostly solid with two early boundaries in his innings calming any lingering moments of nervousness as New Zealand reached 65-0.

Mark Gillespie had secured career-best figures for a second Test in succession as he took 6-113.