Sachin Tendulkar is widely regarded as one of the greatest batters of all time. During his illustrious career spanning 24 years, Tendulkar broke several records. He played 200 Tests and 463 ODIs for India, scoring the world record number of runs (15921 in Tests and 18426 in ODIs) and centuries (51 in Tests and 49 in ODIs).

Sachin also holds the record for being the first man to score 10,000 runs in ODI cricket, first and only batter to score 100 international centuries, first male cricketer to score a double ton in ODIs, most matches played in both formats among others.

Speaking at a book launch event of 'Scintillating Sachin', Tendulkar opened up on the various factors revolving around his career, including a toe injury that troubled him in the 2011-12 tour of India.

Tendulkar had sustained a toe injury in the year 2000. The batting maestro recalled how the same resurfaced in the second half of India’s tour of Australia in 2011-12.

“In the year 2000, I had a toe injury in South Africa following which I took injections as well. The same injury resurfaced after the 2011 World Cup. I don’t even know; I did not do anything which would have put strain on it.

“In fact, I was in London for leave and I was going to join the (Indian) team there," Tendulkar told a large gathering of audience during the book launch event in Mumbai on Friday (June 2).

“(In Australia) it was very painful and unbearable. I had used bandages, changed my insoles twice, and was just managing to play somehow. Most of the tour was over but my frustration was only increasing.

“The Australian grounds are hard, which was making it even more difficult. The doctor suggested getting a surgery done," he said.

Sachin also narrated his wife Anjali Tendulkar’s massive role in stopping him from undergoing surgery.

“I had to run, so my pain increased too much and I consulted a doctor in Australia. He suggested that I need to do a surgery, and even my other leg was hurting. So I shared this with Anjali, I told her that I can’t take this pain anymore and that ‘I have had enough’ and I will do surgery,'" he stated.

“I said ‘I am informing the team that I cannot play, I am in pain and it is difficult’, after hearing this, Anjali came to Brisbane literally in 48 hours only to stop me, to not have this surgery," said Tendulkar, adding that doctors said if the surgery was unsuccessful, it would have affected his career, leaving him on wheelchair for at least six weeks.

(With PTI Inputs)