Sachin Tendulkar may be the one of the more senior players in the Indian squad – he's played nearly 400 internationals - but, as Wisden.com found out at last week's Lord's press conference, he still loves the game as much as he ever did and is raring to go this summer.

"As a kid I started playing cricket because I loved it and I still love it", Tendulkar said. "All the people wishing me well inspires me to go and to do my best out in the middle."

Tendulkar acknowledged that he had a "bad run" in the West Indies, when he made 331 runs at an average of 41, but pointed out that it was his first in 13 years. And for most mortals, an average of over 40 would be good going. Tendulkar also had the pleasure of equalling Don Bradman's record of 29 Test hundreds: "It will be the only time my name is next to his."

Tendulkar's continuing pursuit of excellence has been aided by a new addition to the Indian squad. "Because there's so much cricket it's hard to stay fit," Tendulkar said. "But we have a good trainer and the team is working hard as a unit on all areas of our game…and the trainer is guiding us well."

Wisden Online is running the press conference in its entirety over three consecutive days, starting today.

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