Rediff

Mumabai, Nov 6: Sachin Tendulkar on Monday assured the country that the Indian team, knocked out of the Champions Trophy before the semi-final stage, would return triumphant from the upcoming tour of South Africa.

"We are disappointed at not doing well in the Champions Trophy, but we would return triumphant from South Africa. As a team we have to look at the positives heading into the tour.

"Dwelling on Champions Trophy (debacle) would not do us good," he said in Mumbai after signing up as global brand ambassador for Canon products.

Tendulkar reminded the public about the team's run-in towards the 2003 World Cup, when the squad did not do well in New Zealand in late 2002, started badly in the warm-up phase in the mega event in South Africa, but eventually finished runners-up to Australia.

"I keep reminding people of what happened in 2003. We did not do well in New Zealand. We also lost to Natal B team in the World Cup warm-up phase and then went on to make the final. We beat everyone except Australia," he said.

About India's Champions Trophy loss at home, the ace batsman, only the second sportsperson to endorse Canon products after Russian tennis champion Maria Sharapova, said India fell short by 10 runs against the West Indies in their Group A encounter at Ahmedabad.

"Had we made ten extra runs against the West Indies we would have won," he said.

India lost the match in the final over when the Windies chased successfully and were then dumped out by eventual winners Australia in a must-win league clash for both teams at Mohali.

Tendulkar endorsed the wicket on which India played against Australia, saying it was a good wicket and such wickets should be prepared for domestic cricket.

He also called upon the cricket authorities to start using the Kookaburra brand of cricket balls in domestic cricket.

"It was a good wicket. I have always maintained that we should play our domestic matches on such wickets. We should also use Kookaburra balls in domestic cricket, if not the international ball the one just below it," he said.

On Australia's Champions Trophy win, Tendulkar said Ricky Ponting's team is undoubtedly the best team in the world at present.

"Australia are the number one side and I am not the only one to say this," he declared.

Tendulkar, who will endorse all products of the Japanese company, as compared to Sharapova, who is promoting one particular product, was politely aggressive when a scribe suggested that the Indian cricketers are shying away from playing in domestic cricket unlike the Australians.

"If you remember we returned from Malaysia and played in the Challenger Series prior to the Champions Trophy. People tend to forget this or are not willing to notice these things. I played in a Ranji tie after returning from New Zealand, which is a long way off from India, and was half asleep while fielding," he said.

Tendulkar also said that none of the Indian team members allowed their endorsement shoots to interfere with their cricket and these were done only during periods when there is no cricket activity.

He all rubbished media reports suggesting that he lost a lucrative endorsement deal with a mobile telephone service provider, saying he had refused to compromise on a new contract.

"I had a three-year contract with Airtel which has ended. During my association the brand has risen to become the number one. I don't make any compromises on contracts. They should match my expectations," he said.

Tendulkar said he does not bother about possible conflict of sponsors' interest vis-a-vis the Indian Cricket Board or the International Cricket Council and prefers to let his agents to deal with it.

"My agents are there to deal with these things. My job is to play cricket and not concentrate on other things," he said.