Passion to play for India is what keeps me going: Sachin

Hyderabad, Nov 6 : Sachin Tendulkar celebrated his 17,000 runs in ODIs with a breathtaking 175 against Australia here and he claims it is the passion of playing for the country that motivates him to still go strong even after his 20-year long international career.

Tendulkar is way ahead of his contemporaries in terms of runs scored in both Tests and One-dayers but the hunger to do better is still as it was when he was in his youth.

The 36-year-old Mumbaikar said he was honoured to have represented the country for 20 long years after he achieved yet another milestone last night.

''It's the passion of representing India in international cricket that keeps me motivated all the time. It's always a dream to play for my country. I am absolutely honoured to do that for the last 20 years,'' Tendulkar said after India's three-run loss to Australia.

He played one of the best One-day knocks with a 141-ball 175 but the innings went in vain as India failed to make his innings count.

Tendulkar said it was disappointing to see India go down against Australia after the hosts were well on course of creating a major upset against the World Champions.

''We started off very well, there was a good partnership between Suresh (Raina) and me at one point of time. But we lost few crucial wickets and also the game itself. So it's disappointing at the end of the day,'' Tendulkar said.

Raina and Tendulkar fought a lone battle for India as rest of the batsmen failed to contibute to the team's cause.

Tendulkar had words of praise for Raina who batted brilliantly for his run-a-ball 59 and shared a 137-run stand for the fifth wicket.

''Suresh is a terrific talent. We were trying to push the game as close as possible. We were chasing a big target, there was constant pressure on us, but we managed it well to bring the match quite close,'' he added.

But it was the master blaster who stood out on a day which saw some great batting exhibitions and Australian skipper Ricky Ponting was also effusive in praise for Tendulkar.

''It's one of the best knocks I have seen. Sachin was playing beautifully today.

''And I think, the wickets was also great here and a enthusiastic crowd all around as well,'' Ponting said.

On the strategy that he employed when Tendulkar looked threatening to take the match away from the visitors, Ponting said, ''I was keep talking to the bowlers about sticking to their plans. We have been continuously improving during the seven-match series and looking forward to do so in the coming matches also.''