Tendulkar endured some poor form before having surgery

The 33-year-old, who underwent shoulder surgery in March, hit 141 in India's 29-run loss to West Indies in Malaysia.

"Cricket has been my life. Let's be honest, I'm living a dream here.

"Every time I go out on the field, there is a lot of enthusiasm and a lot of excitement and I just want to continue with that," he said.

"If I find it a burden, then I would know when say it's the end but I'm enjoying it so I want to continue."

Sachin Tendulkar said his 40th one-day century - almost double the tally of his nearest rival - was one of his best.

"It was a special hundred because it came on a difficult track and after a six-month break," the batsman said.

"I would rate this quite high because I played right to the end. It was part of our plan that I stay in and I was able to do that so I am happy about it."

Even when you are out there suffering you have to appreciate a genius at work Lara on Tendulkar

Before finally undergoing surgery, Tendulkar endured a glut of poor form, going 11 Test innings without passing 50 and leading many to speculate his career could be over.

But former India opener Sunil Gavaskar said Tendulkar had now dispelled all doubts over his fitness.

"Once he hit that front foot down and straight drove the fast bowler, it was clear that he was mentally at peace with himself and had no doubts in his mind about his fitness," Gavaskar wrote in the Hindustan Times.

West Indies captain Brian Lara was fulsome in his praise for Tendulkar, saying: "For a guy coming back after six months, it shows how much of a genius he is. It was a very special innings.

"That's what he is capable of and we all know that and even when you are out there in the middle suffering you have to appreciate a genius at work."

Thanks to Tendulkar's efforts, India piled up 309-5 before watching West Indies get off to a flying start to make 141-2 off 20 overs.

Rain and the Duckworth-Lewis rules handed victory to the Caribbean side, who were hammered by Australia in the opening game of the tri-series on Tuesday.