Mumbai, May 3: Sachin Tendulkar, whose appetite for cricket remains unsatiated despite ruling the cricketing world for over 20 years, considers satisfaction to be the beginning of stagnation.

"When you win something or score a century you say you are happy, but not satisfied. Satisfaction is like engaging the handbrake and hoping a car moves forward," Tendulkar, who holds the record for the most centuries in all formats of the game, was quoted as saying by ‘Sky Sports Magazine'.

"I am not satisfied yet with my career and what I have done, not at all. I feel the moment you start to feel satisfied, then it is only natural that you begin to cool down and lose it," explained the master.

Emphasising his love for cricket, he said, "I still love cricket as much as ever. It is my job, but it is also my passion. Cricket remains in my heart; I don't need anything else to motivate me. I dreamed of playing for my country when I was young and it is still my dream, it is still fun for me."

"Life without cricket is unthinkable,” he said earnestly.

A strict fitness regime, staying away from Twenty20 Internationals and bowling only sparingly is the secret to his longevity and success, explained Tendulkar.

"I am still learning about the game. I figure something out about my batting all the time; you have to keep your mind open. I learn all the time; those small adjustments with your footwork or bat swing can improve your game, I love doing that," said Tendulkar, ever a student of the game.

Talking about the World Cup win, Tendulkar said that when the moment arrived he was on his own in the dressing room praying in silence with his eyes closed.

He recalls he only knew India had won the World Cup when he heard a supersonic roar reverberate around the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai as captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni hit the winning runs against Sri Lanka.

He described the experience as "a different kind of feeling, a high, like living on a different planet; it felt as though I was flying."

Tendulkar, who has played in the World Cup five times before, admitted the experience of his team having missed out in the previous editions left him feeling "shattered beyond words."

A great favourite of his colleagues, team-mates are all praise for the legendary batsman. "It has been fascinating watching the changes in his approach," said teammate Rahul Dravid. "From being a master blaster, he is now a mistake-proof batsman."

How does the 38-year-old Tendulkar display the same enthusiasm and agility on the field as he did as a newcomer? "You have to be still in your mind, and keep it blank. It is also important to avoid any needless anger."

Not one to express his disappointments in public or on camera, Tendulkar said, "Growing up, I picked up a lot from my father, who never lost his temper, and I tried to follow that; so I don't lose my cool."

India’s pace spearhead Zaheer Khan has been quoted as saying, "I have never seen him lose his temper in the dressing room; he has never thrown his bat around even when given out wrongly.” He added, “Maybe he will have an extra bowl of ice cream, and that is when you realise he is pretty upset."