We have been inconsistent: Tendulkar

CENTURION: Mumbai Indians captain Sachin Tendulkar was very honest in admitting that his side was very inconsistent in the DLF Indian Premier League competition. Here's more from the champion batsman after the side went down to Delhi Daredevils in their final game.

On the missed opportunities: Sometimes even after you have tried a lot, somehow it does not click. The big difference till now has been of just two-three runs so far, very rarely the other side has beaten us overwhelmingly. The only game I remember is that Johannesburg match against Royal Challengers Bangalore when they had a upper-hand over us from first ball. There have been very few one-side games against us. Eventually if we had scored that extra run here and there, then maybe we would have been in the semis.

On how he looks back at the tournament: I think, as I said earlier in my mother tongue. We feel short literally by couple of runs here and there. It wasn't that the opposition completely outclassed us. Today was one of those games when Viru batted very well, Gautam played some big shots. Also Warner and Dilshan they chipped in, with quickfire innings. Maybe this game and the Johannesburg game against Bangalore. I thought just those two games that we were beaten completely in all aspects of the game. But otherwise in the rest of the games, we were very much in the game and just the failure of the crunch moment was a little difficult to digest. You need six runs off nine balls, it's hard to imagine that you can lose from there. Such things have happened, also the biggest blow was after the first six games, we lost three players from the playing XI. We lost Zaheer Khan and Shikhar Dhawan, we had traded both of them. We lost them after six games. Also Saurabh Tiwary, he played a practice game, and he had really played well. I was pretty confident that he would come in and play some big shots. That sort of disturbed the balance I think.

On whether it was difficult to motivate the team: I don't think it was difficult, we all play for pride. And we all cricketers want to go out there and win each and every match. It really does not matter at what stage you are playing and against whom you are playing. We play for Mumbai Indians, and it is a team from Mumbai, we take pride in representing that team. The owners, Mr and Mrs Ambani, both have been extremely supportive. They have always sent their best wishes, infact Mrs Ambani was here also to watch most of the matches. So when you have a team like that nobody loses motivation. We were all motivated to go out there and win. Till the last ball is bowled, we were very much trying to win the game.

On Delhi Dardevils' approach: Well, in this format, you take chances and score runs. Sometimes those chances taken are at a vital period of the game. You lose a wicket, instead of a big six it could be caught at long-on or caught at long-off, the game changes. It is a lot to do with that as well. Without any doubt Delhi Daredevils have really really played well. Their batting looks pretty solid, the bowling is also balanced. So all in all, I think it is a very strong side and one will have to be on the top of their game to beat them. On Nannes and Nehra: Both have struck early on. It's the early wickets, puts the brakes on acceleration. And they have managed to do that.

On whether he enjoyed captaincy: It's been good, it's been tough. There have been times when you can't do much. If we were batting, and we have got...that match against Rajasthan Royals, I just could not do anything. I was sitting inside. In fielding you can atleast go upto the bowler or the fielder and discuss a few things and try and bring that change. But otherwise I am just like any other player, the guys who are there in the middle, couple of guys, batters. I cannot play for them, neither can they play for me. There comes a stage when every individual has to go and deliver. We have been inconsistent in doing that.

On the fifth foreign player: I don't know at this stage...I am not really thinking about that. But I maybe it is something which could be discussed. And it is decision taken by the franchises more than the players. Even when it was decided that the four players should be included, it wasn't our decision.

On Delhi Daredevils being favourties: So far Delhi Daredevils have done really really well. But in this format, the opposition needs just one good break, good solid 20 overs and that can put a lot of pressure on them. So far they have really done well, they have consistently done well.

On the plusses and minuses of playing in South Africa: I don't see any minuses at all. Only pluses, the kind of response we have got has been fantastic, very warm, the crowds, have been very lively, they have been right in the game all the time, you could feel, the crowds have come to enjoy good quality cricket. That is something that a sportsman looks forward to, we have thoroughly enjoyed playing here. The support, the atmosphere, the life inside the stadium, the energy, it's been truly fantastic. I would like to thank everyone for their support.