Calcutta: Graham Gooch was the England captain when Sachin Tendulkar authored the first of his 35 Test hundreds, back in August 1990 at Old Trafford. Reached for a comment on his cellphone, Gooch (20 hundreds in 118 Tests) gladly took a walk down memory lane for the benefit of The Telegraph’s readers.

The following are excerpts

On his first impressions of Sachin

That while everybody was talking of him as a batsman with great potential, he was also a very fine fielder. I think he took an excellent catch to send back Allan Lamb in the first Test (Lord’s)?

On Sachin’s first Test hundred

He was so young (17)? I found him very composed, with the right balance and a nice range of shots. His unbeaten 119 helped India save that Test. (After a pause) I remember quickly marking him down as someone to look out for. Obviously, he’d gained a lot by making his debut in Pakistan? It became easier to handle pressure.

On what stood out in that hundred

(Laughs) It was too long ago? Off-hand, I can’t recall anything in particular, except that Sachin wasn’t found wanting in confidence. You’ve got to remember we had a pretty good attack ? Devon Malcolm, Angus Fraser, Chris Lewis ? but the 17-year-old didn’t flinch.

On whether he’d visualised just how far Sachin would go

You can’t predict? However, as I’ve said, I quickly marked him down? Somebody with Sachin’s crease-presence had to go far? He played the ball late and seemed to possess a sixth sense which only some have. It makes a difference.

On his Sachin-specific thoughts in the intervening years

My own belief is that the period between 25-35 years is the best for batsmen? He has had fitness worries, but has emerged strong.

On the future

Depends on Sachin’s drive? Is going to depend on his fitness, too? If all goes well, he could be around for another four-five years.

On whether 50 Test hundreds is a possibility

If Sachin remains motivated, that’s definitely on? If he plays for five years and averages three hundreds each year, 50 will be reached. Simple mathematics?

On Sachin having to contend with even more pressure

Well, that may dent his ambitions? It’s not easy being the No.1? In any case, the expectations in India are huge? Unbelievable, really?

On Sunil Gavaskar and Sachin

I wouldn’t have liked to bowl if both were in the XI? Gavaskar never missed out on a bad ball; Sachin has a wider range of shots? The game, though, has moved on from the time Gavaskar quit (in late 1987)?

Finally, on whether he would actually pay to watch Sachin

I would, not just for Sachin, but some others --- like Brian Lara.