Laxman: Sachin never considered himself bigger than the game

He feels honoured to have shared the dressing room with Sachin Tendulkar for 16 years and VVS Laxman says the retiring senior batsman is remarkably special for never considering himself bigger than the game despite being a player who could "achieve anything on the ground".

"The most important thing which the youngsters can learn from Sachin is that he never considered himself above the game. The respect he gave to the game and his colleagues makes him special," the stylish Hyderabadi told PTI in an interview.

"He is such a special talent and he always played in the spirit of the game. He always kept team's requirement above his. The way he came back from the injuries and played for the country is inspiring. He is a true role model not only for cricketers but for all sportspersons," he said.

"It has been a remarkable and glittering career not only because of records and runs he scored but the way he carried himself. It's not so easy," he added.

Laxman felt that like every Indian cricketer he too grew up idolising Tendulkar.

"I am honoured to have played with him for 16 years. I grew up idolising him as at such a tender age of 16 he played the best bowlers in the world with so much ease," said the former Test batsman.

He also said it was Tendulkar who made him feel comfortable in the dressing room in his debut series against South Africa in 1996.

"Sachin was the captain of the team when I made debut in 1996. He made sure that I felt comfortable in dressing room and on the field," he said.

When asked to share his special moments with Sachin, Laxman said it was hard to single out one.

"We used to travel 250 days in a year and spent a lot of time together hence it is hard for me to single out one moment. He is like a god in India and it is easy to get carried away but he is grounded," said Laxman.