Ever since the Australian media started talking about the Indian subcontinent and the pitches present in the country, several cricketers have voiced out against the Nagpur pitch, while many former Indian cricketers have extended their support for the surface, eventually taking a dig at the Australian media.
The recent to the list of those hitting back at the Australian media was the Indian legend, Sachin Tendulkar, who hit back saying that it was unwanted by the media and added that cricketers must possess the ability to bat on any given surface across the world. Further, Tendulkar said that the Aussies are more than ready to face the challenges in India.
“When you become an international cricketer, you are supposed to play on any kind of surface in the world. Those are challenges of travelling. When we go to Australia, we don’t expect turners there. We know nature of the surface is going to be a little bouncy and more pace in it and upfront movement of seam,” Tendulkar was quoted as saying.
I feel Aussies are prepared to play: Sachin Tendulkar
The legendary batter hinted at a possibility of a bite on the surface and recalled a game at Nagpur during his stint with team India. The Indian pacers put the Aussies on the back foot on Day 1, February 9, Thursday as the likes of Mohammed Siraj and Mohammed Shami removed openers, Usman Khawaja and David Warner, with both scoring 1 run each.
“So is the case with Australian team, when they are in India. They know that there will be turn and nature of the surface will be slowish. They are prepared for that, they have practised with SG balls. Every team prepares to the best of their abilities and it is what happens around them amplify but the team is always in a different space compared to what outsiders are thinking. I feel Aussies are prepared to play and face the challenges,” Tendulkar was quoted as saying.
“I remember playing one game in Nagpur where spinners dominated the morning session. The odd ball went straight and other one spun viciously. It became difficult for batters to gauge which one will turn and which one will come straight. It’s going to be both and reverse will come into play in this series,” he added.
