New Delhi: Mahendra Singh Dhoni still feels reluctant and shy to speak to his cricketing idol Sachin Tendulkar off the field but his opinions on the field does differ from the Master at times, which according to the skipper might be the reason why Sachin recommended his name for captaincy in 2007.

According to Dhoni, he used to have discussions with Sachin on the team strategy and at times both of them had different perspectives.

Dhoni was present at the launch of book “Tendulkar: the Cricketer of the Century”, and was quoted saying, "Tendulkar is my sporting hero and because of the aura he carries, I still have difficulties speaking up to him outside a cricket field. But on field, I always give my honest inputs about team strategy and that’s why my honesty has paid dividends when Sachin himself recommended me for captaincy. Getting a recommendation from such a legend is in itself a huge honour for me."

"Before bowling, Tendulkar would come up to me and say he would bowl off-spin or leg-spin or seam up. I would say okay at times and at other times would disagree with him. So, the comfort level began and by the time I became captain, I was able to speak to him freely on the field," said Dhoni, adding that the same was the case with other players, including Rahul Dravid, VVS Laxman and Anil Kumble. "There is no ego in the team and that is the best thing in Indian cricket," he added.

Dhoni recalled when he met Sachin Tendulkar for the first time during the Duleep Trophy match in Pune in 2000-01 season. He said, “It was during the Duleep Trophy match and I was carrying drinks for the East Zone squad. He was batting when I went into the field to serve drinks to my team-mates at drinks break. Suddenly, he asked me 'can I have a drink also. That was my first meeting with Tendulkar. I did not uttered a single word and ended serving a drink to him.”

“But very soon I had my first interaction with Sachin in 2004 December when India toured Bangladesh. I first spoke to him, he said 'Hi How are you?' while welcoming me in the team.

Dhoni also revealed that he didn’t watch cricket matches until and unless Tendulkar was on the strike. "I don't normally watch cricket matches. But if Tendulkar is batting then I have to watch it. I remember in the World Cup in Australia (1992) or India's tour in Australia I told my dad to wake me up at night if Tendulkar comes out to bat," recalled Dhoni, adding that 200 not out in the 2011 Gwalior ODI against South Africa was the best innings he had seen of Tendulkar.