India discard Irfan Pathan on Friday hoped to see Sachin Tendulkar in a World Cup winning India team in 2011.
Wishing all the best to Tendulkar, who is on the threshold of completing 20 years of international cricket, Pathan said the country wants the batting maestro to win the cricket extravaganza.
"I really wish to see him in a World Cup winning India team. Hopefully, that will happen in 2011 when the cricket extravaganza comes to India (Sri Lanka and Bangladesh). I wish he will win us World Cup. The whole country wants it from him," the former India medium-pacer said.
Recollecting his association with Tendulkar, the Baroda medium-pacer, who was often criticised for slowing down and losing swing in bowling, said: "Tendulkar had once advised him not try to 'swing' the ball too much."
"He told me to stick to my basics and told me that 'swinging comes to me naturally', so I need not try too much. It had given a lot of confidence to me," Pathan said.
According to him, the way Tendulkar has carried himself in international cricket over the years encourages him.
"It's not easy. I am 25 years old and he is playing international cricket for more than 20 years," Pathan said in praise of the Mumbai ace who had made his international debut on November 15, 1989 as a 16-year-old against Pakistan in Karachi.
"It's very difficult to handle yourself, your body and mind and playing at the top-level remaining away from family.
But Tendulkar is humble so God has been very kind to him," Pathan told reporters after their Ranji match against Bengal at Eden Gardens.
"There cannot be a better role model than him. I am lucky to have shared the dressing room with him," he said. Pathan also said he had not lost hope on making a Team India comeback.
"I played this match after about three months. I really batted and bowled well and particularly I bowled well in my five-over spell to Sourav Ganguly. I troubled the former India captain, extracting some good swing," he said.
"Definitely, time is not over for me. I will make a comeback with good performances. God is with me," Pathan said.
