'Sachin's 400 is stunning'

Sachin Tendulkar playing his 400th one-day match is unbelievable, almost sounds unreal. For me, great is not the word-very, very great.

Only a few players can even dream of achieving it. You need a lot of fitness, focus. You wake up every day and keep doing the same thing; you have to put in hard work, then handle pressure, maintain focus and form, it's not easy. It's not as it looks on TV.

He is a real hero. He has been serving the country for so many years with so much pride, I salute him.

Sachin is a great friend, too. I first met him in 1996-97 in Chandigarh, when I was bowling to the Indian team at the nets. Then, it was a dream come true to meet my hero. Anil Kumble, Navjot Sidhu and Mohammad Azharuddin were also there. At that time, I talked to Sachin and he told me to keep working on my game and work hard.

That was enough for me, those words coming from such a great man, it was an inspiring moment.

Then, one and-a-half years later, I was in the team. Since then, he was always there for me, guiding me on numerous occasions. He used to tell me you need to know where you want to go, for there will be a lot of distractions. He said your job is to remain focused and not get carried away. And he asked me to believe in myself, in my abilities.

After I took 32 wickets against Australia in 2001-02, I was taking everyone's autograph on the man-of-the-series sheet. Sachin wrote: "It is beginning of your career. A great start for your career. Keep working hard and make sure that you keep performing well." He also gave me two pairs of spikes (cricket boots) as a present.

Playing alongside him, sharing the same dressing room is a feeling I really can't explain. His presence in the dressing room itself is so important for us. Even now, when you feel you are not there on the ground, he comes and peps you up. He is a great role model.

It's not easy to play cricket like him, he has played all his cricket so authoritatively. It's absolutely stunning what he has done for the country.