"I have given 24 years of my life to cricket. Now, it's time for my family" - Sachin Tendulkar

Sachin Tendulkar wants to now give his time to his family after 24 years of service to cricket

What does Sachin Tendulkar plan to do after cricket?

In his own words, “now, it’s time for family”.

After his 199th Test in Kolkata, Tendulkar is all set to play his last international match in Mumbai, the 2nd Test of the ongoing series between India and West Indies.

“Retirement is a way of life. You have to accept it and move on.” Sachin Tendulkar was quoted as saying by Mid Day.

“It (retirement) has not yet sunk in. Since announcing my retirement, I hardly stepped outside and I have very little idea about what’s happening outside.

“But this I can tell you… recently, I visited a friend in Mumbai and after I left his home, I discovered that the building’s residents were down to give me a guard of honour with their bats raised. I was dumbfounded.”

On what he plans to do after November 18, he said “I have given 24 years of my life to the game. Now, it’s time for my family.”

He also intends to leave the city for a while after his retirement, to move away from the hustle bustle and take a break with his family. “I need to get away once this is all over,” he said.

In Kolkata, people who have been associated with him and the Indian team for long, have been unable to control their emotions at his departure from the sport. Sachin told the account of Pintu, a popular masseur at Eden Gardens, who was sobbing due to the news of Sachin’s retirement.

Sachin consoled him, saying, “Don’t cry! This is a way of life. Be with the younger cricketers.”.