<p>Veteran batsman Sachin Tendulkar, who was today conferred with the Order of Australia, said the first trip Down Under way back in 1991-92 changed him as a cricketer and pointed out that the Aussies had a role in his transformation into a "tougher" player.<br /><br /></p>.<p>"It (the 1991-92 tour of Australia) completely changed me as a cricketer. It was a critical moment of my career. Three and half months changed me completely.<br /><br />"I thought I was ready to play against any attack in the world and I can say that Australia has had some contribution in that to transform me into a tougher cricketer," Tendulkar said after receiving the honour at a function here.<br /><br />He said the Aussies, who are known for their mental toughness, also appreciate quality performace.<br /><br />"We all know Australians are fierce competitors but when you do well against them, they shower on you all the compliments. And that is what happened to me. I scored reasonably well and scored a couple of hundreds there (in the Test series).<br /><br />"That (the Test rubber) was followed by the tri-series against the West Indies, another tough opposition", he said.<br /><br />Tendulkar further said he dreamt of playing in Australia ever since he was a 12-year-old.<br />"The association with Australia started long time ago and not in 1991. To me it started way back in 85 when I was 12 years old watching those fantastic day-night matches on television. <br /><br />I started dreaming that one day I want to go there and play cricket. It turned into a reality in 1991-92," he said.<br /><br />The 39-year-old batsman got nostalgic when he recalled the moment when he met Sir Don Bradman and admitted that he was very nervous. "The most memorable trip to Australia was when I was asked to come and wish Sir Don on his 90th birthday. I was in the middle of a national camp in Chennai and the BCCI graciously agreed to send me.</p>
<p>Veteran batsman Sachin Tendulkar, who was today conferred with the Order of Australia, said the first trip Down Under way back in 1991-92 changed him as a cricketer and pointed out that the Aussies had a role in his transformation into a "tougher" player.<br /><br /></p>.<p>"It (the 1991-92 tour of Australia) completely changed me as a cricketer. It was a critical moment of my career. Three and half months changed me completely.<br /><br />"I thought I was ready to play against any attack in the world and I can say that Australia has had some contribution in that to transform me into a tougher cricketer," Tendulkar said after receiving the honour at a function here.<br /><br />He said the Aussies, who are known for their mental toughness, also appreciate quality performace.<br /><br />"We all know Australians are fierce competitors but when you do well against them, they shower on you all the compliments. And that is what happened to me. I scored reasonably well and scored a couple of hundreds there (in the Test series).<br /><br />"That (the Test rubber) was followed by the tri-series against the West Indies, another tough opposition", he said.<br /><br />Tendulkar further said he dreamt of playing in Australia ever since he was a 12-year-old.<br />"The association with Australia started long time ago and not in 1991. To me it started way back in 85 when I was 12 years old watching those fantastic day-night matches on television. <br /><br />I started dreaming that one day I want to go there and play cricket. It turned into a reality in 1991-92," he said.<br /><br />The 39-year-old batsman got nostalgic when he recalled the moment when he met Sir Don Bradman and admitted that he was very nervous. "The most memorable trip to Australia was when I was asked to come and wish Sir Don on his 90th birthday. I was in the middle of a national camp in Chennai and the BCCI graciously agreed to send me.</p>