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Tendulkar not really interested in Azhar's job

Bradman's "Bonzer", Sachin Tendulkar, is happier doing a good job for the country with the bat rather than leading the team from the front.

The master batsman, who was in Madras to relaunch the energy drink 'Boost', with fortified energy boosters, indicated that he was not unduly interested in taking over as captain from Mohammad Azharuddin.

"As long as I do well for the country, either as a player or even in the 15, it's okay," he said, in reply to a query whether he was ready to assume the mantle.

When pointed out that Azharuddin may not be able to lead the country in the forthcoming triangular series in Sri Lanka, as he had been advised rest by his doctors, Tendulkar shot back: "I have spoken to Azhar. He told me he is fit."

Endorsing 'Boost', "as a drink he really enjoyed", Sachin said as a 16-year-old boy, he had seen Kapil modelling for the drink.

"I wanted to emulate him and that is why I agreed to endorse it."

Meanwhile, Tendulkar endorsed Kapil Dev's call to snap cricketing ties with Pakistan till the Kargil crisis was resolved.

"It is difficult for the two teams to go out and play when the two countries are fighting," he said.

"The Board of Control for Cricket in India has also endorsed Kapil's view," he added.

Kapil Dev had said that the forthcoming Sahara Cup series between India and Pakistan, to be played in Toronto, Canada, should be called off in view of the Kargil operations.

UNI