The tennis elbow may force Sachin Tendulkar to use a lighter bat when he returns to cricketing action, but the batting maestro is not too comfortable with the idea, saying past experience has not been too encouraging.

"I don't think I can play with a really light bat. I have tried using one before and it just doesn't help my bat swing," Tendulkar said.

"But then, I am using a relatively light bat now. It's about 2.11 pounds now, down from 3.2. I have been using it for the last two years. I can't start using an extremely light bat. If it has to happen; it will happen gradually," Tendulkar said, in an interview in the latest issue of Wisden Asia.

The 31-year-old batting genius has been out of action for the last seven weeks because of the injury and is advised to use a lighter bat than what he was using to prevent it from getting aggravated.

In the interview, Tendulkar also spoke at length about his cricketing career, his stint as a captain and how the game has changed over the years.

The star batsman, who has scored over 20,000 international runs and 65 hundreds in a career spanning 15 years, said winning a World Cup would be the real "icing on the cake".

"...whatever years are left to me, I am going to push myself harder because the time I have is never going to come back again. There is plenty of time to do other things. If anything, I want us to win a World Cup. That will be the real icing on the cake."

Tendulkar said his approach to batting has changed over the years since his role in the team had changed.

"When you play for a long time, it is natural. Changes are going to take place and you always try and make changes to become a better player. The basic idea is to cut down on risky shots and try and be as consistent as possible.

"If I kept playing the same way throughout my career it would mean the opposition has not been using their brains. The opposition works on your game and comes up with certain plans..."

Asked whether he misses being the Sachin of old, the Little Master said, "Not really. It's not that I have intentionally cramped my style of play. I have never said 'no I will not play any shots'. Yes, there are times when you play according to the needs of situations. Also, it is part of growing. You don't do at the age of 35 what you did at 16. The thinking changes."

Commenting on observations of some critics that he has stopped enjoying his batting, he said it is unfortunate that people who played the game are making such "rude statements".

"I thought too much was being said about it and unfortunately guys who have played cricket themselves were making too many rude statements. Someone who has played should definitely understand that there are team meetings and team plans.

"It's not all about what my natural game is but about executing a team plan. I should be doing what the team wants me to and not what someone sitting 85 yards away in the commentator's box feels. You can't be talking about what the country should be doing and then focus on an individual," he said.