PTI
 
London, Apr 13: In the backdrop of the slump in Sachin Tendulkar's form, India's cricket coach Greg Chappell still sees a mentor's role for him, telling the star batsman's critics that he does not need anyone to tell him "when to go".

Tendulkar's indifferent form has touched off a debate in India on his future but the coach maintains that he still has a role, especially as a mentor. In the past few months Tendulkar had been very helpful that way, he said.

"Knowing when to stop is a much more difficult decision for the modern player," Chappell said in an interview to The Times newspaper.

"When the money was not there, it was much easier to move on. But Sachin won't need anyone to tell him when to go.

"He still has a role, especially as a mentor. Over the past few months he has been very helpful that way.

"I have no doubt that Sachin will come back refreshed, like he did after his elbow injury last year.

"Just how, when and where is yet to be seen and it will depend on his body and on his mind," Chappell was quoted as saying.

In fact, Chappell said, Tendulkar had the operation -- on his right shoulder after the Test series against England -- done so that he could be fit in time for the World Cup in the Caribbean in March-April, 2007.

"We want to get everything from him in whatever time he has left. I know the World Cup is a target," the former Australian captain said.

"That is why he had the operation when he did, and it was just as well because the problem was more serious than we thought."