Sachin Tendulkar is on the verge of history. Not many cricketers can dream of playing two decades in international cricket. Graham Gooch was the last to do so. Now the Mumbai batsman will join that elite list when he completes 20 years of international cricket in November.

Who can forget the baby-faced Tendulkar starting his career as a 16-year-old against the Pakistani pace battery — comprising the legendary Imran Khan , Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis — and coming out with flying colours.

The ace batsman, who is currently the highest run-getter in Tests (12,773 runs – 42 hundreds — in 159 matches) and One-Day Internationals (16,684 runs — 43 hundreds – in 425 matches) still vividly remembers what spurred him to such a long career.

“I remember during my first international tour, to Pakistan, Kapil Dev [ Images ] had challenged me to play at least 10 years for the country and I am glad that I have doubled that. I am quite pleased with what I have achieved so far.

“It is a great feeling to complete 20 years in international cricket. It was always a dream to play for the country; didn’t think when I started that I would play for so long,” said Tendulkar at a function to launch adidas’s range of cricketing equipment in India.

Despite giving his all to the sport in the last 20 years, it is hard to see the 36-year-old hanging his gloves anytime soon.

“Cricket is an integral part of my life and it is hard to imagine life without cricket,” he asserted.

Tendulkar also admitted that he is very fussy when it comes to the cricketing gear he uses.

“I am very particular about bats, about pads, about gloves and about shoes. I can get fussy to a certain extent because I want to get everything right. Cricket is so important for me that I cannot compromise on anything and this has been my habit right from my early days.”

Asked how he decides on which is the best bat for him by just knocking the middle of the blade, he replied: “The bat speaks to me and that is how I can make out whether it is a good bat or not.”

Over the years, Tendulkar was laid low many a time with injuries, which some expert believe was due to the weight of the heavy bat he uses. But the batting ace differs, and with good reason at that.

“I have spoken to specialists who believe that if I use a lighter bat it will have more impact on my elbow. I have tried using lighter bats but it didn’t work, maybe because it didn’t have a similar bat swing,” he said.

Adidas has introduced cricket bats, balls, protective gear, including gloves, pads, helmets and other accessories which will be priced between Rs 549 and Rs 13,999. The hardware products have undergone high-performance evaluations with the England  and Wales Cricket Board at the Loughborough University’s Performance Training Centre.

Former India captain Kapil Dev does not favour tinkering with the format of one-day cricket, as has been suggested by former and current players.

Asked about Sachin Tendulkar’s new idea that 50-over cricket be spilt into four innings of 25 overs, Kapil said he was all for keeping the original format.

“I don’t think you can have so many combinations and so many things. Every cricket — 20 over, 50 over and Test match — has its own value so let us not muck around. The more you muck around more you are going to spoil cricket,” said Kapil, who led India to 1983 limited overs World Cup win.

“Cricketers should understand, ICC should understand and cricket boards should understand it.

Sachin Tendulkar has suggested 50-over one-day internationals be split into two innings of 25 overs each to revive interest in the format.

Twenty20 cricket is threatening to overshadow the longer form, and there will be no domestic 50-over competition in England from 2010.

“Today, we can tell the result of close to 75% of [ODI] matches after the toss,” said Indian great Tendulkar.

“But [splitting the game] is not too dependent on the toss.”

Tendulkar being the highest run-scorer in one-dayers (16,684), his words carry extra weight.

The batsman said he thought of the idea in 2002, when India and Sri Lanka had to share the Champions Trophy in Colombo following a rain-hit final.

“First, they played 50 overs and we played two before the rain interruption,” added Tendulkar.

“The next day [a reserve day], Sri Lanka again played 50 overs and we played eight. In the end, we were declared joint winners.

“I thought, 110 overs and still no result. That’s when I thought we should have 25 overs each for both sides and then 25 overs each again.

“If, for example, it’s a day-night match, then both the teams will have to bat under lights.

“In those 25 overs you can use your 10 wickets the way you want. Suppose if it rains, then also you can plan. The conditions change very dramatically, but this would ensure that it’s the same for everyone.”

Last month, the England and Wales Cricket Board announced the decision to drop domestic 50-over cricket in favour of a 40-over competition.

England selector Geoff Miller criticised the move, arguing the absence of a 50-over domestic tournament could harm England’s chances of success.

However, international 50-over cricket is also thought to be under threat, with the International Cricket Council reviewing its future after the 2011 World Cup.