Tendulkar denies retirement claim

Tendulkar has scored more one-day runs than any other batsman

Sachin Tendulkar has dismissed reports that he is contemplating retirement from one-day internationals.

Newspapers in India claimed he had discussed the idea of reducing his cricket schedule with friends in order to prolong his Test career.

But on Thursday, he said: "I am batting brilliantly at the moment. The thought of retirement has not crossed my mind.

"I am still enjoying the game very much and want to play for as long as I can. Cricket means a lot to me."

Tendulkar is only six matches short of 400 one-day appearances for India.

And he is the game's record scorer in limited overs internationals with 15,395 runs, including 41 centuries and 83 fifties.

The 34-year-old has been in excellent form in the current series in England, scoring 344 runs in six games so far at an average of 57.33.

But he has suffered a number of injuries in the past two or three years and has opted to miss the inaugural ICC World Twenty20 tournament, which starts in South Africa next week.

606: DEBATE It will indeed be the passing of an era when he goes Vishy

Tendulkar has been playing international cricket since he burst onto the scene as a 16-year-old batting prodigy in 1989.

And he has a tough winter ahead with a home series against Pakistan to be followed by a tour to Australia.

Earlier this week, he told the Times newspaper: "I enjoy every moment I have on a cricket field, but the recovery times between games these days are difficult, especially for one-day internationals, and that's my major obstacle.

"It does take its toll on the body. When you are 22 or 23, you recover a lot more quickly. But at 34, it's not so easy."

But he added: "My body will tell me when I have played enough cricket, but I don't feel old just yet. I still think I'm a young boy at heart."

Tendulkar suffered from cramp during Wednesday's win over England at The Oval.

Captain Rahul Dravid insisted, however, that his star batting asset would be fit for the series decider at Lord's on Saturday.

"He's taken some rehydration fluids and should be OK," Dravid commented.