Sachin Tendulkar rates the 2007 World Cup debacle as the worst moment of his professional career and blamed the setback on a batting order blunder.
India could not make it to the Super Eight stage of the high-profile tournament in the West Indies and crashed out after defeats against Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.
Tendulkar did not say a word on Greg Chappell, insisting he would not disclose dressing room secrets, but had no doubt that the batting order was far from perfect. "I felt our batting order was not right," said Tendulkar, who batted at number four with Robin Uthappa sent ahead of him.
"It was a big tournament and we had a fantastic team. Everything looked well set but I felt our batting order was not right. This was one of the reasons (behind India's early ouster)," the champion batsman told Times Now.
Chappell was nearing the end of his tumultuous coaching stint with India, having ticked off senior players, including Tendulkar, with his high-handedness.
The Mumbai player, however, refused to disclose anything. "I would not go into the details, for I believe what happens in the dressing room should stay in the dressing room. But of course, things could have been different," Tendulkar said.
Bangladesh thumped India by five wickets in the first Group B match at Port of Spain and Tendulkar said it was a freak match for his teammates.
"We did not play the way we were expected to. It's not that the players did not try enough. We tried our best but there are days when things don't go your way and it was one of those days," Tendulkar said.
Tendulkar said the early ouster was more painful than his own failure as captain of the team even though he has no regrets for failing to make a mark as the skipper of the side.
"No regrets at all. Captaining is not about an individual but a team," he said.
"Of course it was painful whenever team lost but losing the 2007 World Cup was more disappointing," Tendulkar added.
Tendulkar, who would be completing his 20 years of international cricket on November 15, said fitness-wise, he was feeling alright and was looking forward to playing in the 2011 World Cup.
"Touchwood, my body is holding up nicely. Of course I'm looking forward to the 2011 World Cup and by God's grace, we should be able to achieve what we want to achieve," he said.
Asked how he would like to be remembered once he hangs up his boot, Tendulkar said, "As somebody who played for the team and was true, sincere and honest as a member of the side as somebody who has given it all and wanted to be a good team-man."
