Tendulkar's former flamboyance is now emulated by Virender Sehwag

Tendulkar has been accused of adopting a more cautious style, but insists he is serving the interests of the team.

"I know what my job is. As long as I am convinced I have done my job honestly, why should I lose sleep over what people have to say about my cricket?

"Please try to read my role and contribution in a team where I am the most senior player," he said.

Tendulkar has scored more than 10,000 Test runs, including 34 centuries, and 13,600 in one-day internationals since making his debut as a 16-year-old in 1989.

But in the past year, during which he struggled to overcome an elbow problem, he has seen Rahul Dravid and Virender Sehwag challenge his status as the number one batsman in the team.

Now 32, Tendulkar believes change is inevitable over time.

"I batted with a certain style when I was 16. At 20, I batted differently. It changes again when I was 25 and again when I turned 30," he told the Hindu newspaper.

"It's a process everyone experiences. In the past too, batsmen have made changes when compelled by factors like age. I can't fight these changes, they are natural."

He added: "I did what came naturally to me, but my learning process continues.

"I just can't sit back and reflect on past glory."