Sachin Tendulkar has said that he has "no complaints" over his celebrity status, despite claiming that he has not been out in public without security guards in 25 years.
The India batsman retired from cricket earlier this year, and ended his 24-year Test career last November.
While promoting his forthcoming autobiography, Tendulkar told The Telegraph: "I haven't tried [going out without security] for 25 years. I haven't been out shopping, or out in public. It would be special to go out and do something like that, which I've never experienced in life.
"After I came back from Pakistan when I was 16, that's when people started recognising me. Gradually, it took off. With more and more channels being introduced in India, and more media, things became a little difficult for me. But I'm used to that lifestyle. I have no complaints at all.
"After my retirement last year, I requested for the media to leave me alone, because I wanted a short break. I was up in the mountains and I said 'Please leave me alone for a while, and I promise at the end of my break, I'll do an interview with you guys.' So I was left alone for five, six days, and that was something I really appreciated."
Tendulkar played in 200 Tests and a total of 664 international matches during his career.
Sian Cowper
