SA Don’t Have the Team Balance They Had in the 90’s: Tendulkar

A lot will depend on how India tackle the new ball in South Africa, says Sachin Tendulkar.

File photo of Sachin Tendulkar.

(Photo: Reuters)

Virat Kohli may have led the Indian team to nine consecutive Test series wins, but the real test will begin in South Africa. India have traditionally struggled on fast pitches and therefore, have never won a Test or ODI series in South Africa.

However, former India captain Sachin Tendulkar believes that the present South African team don’t have the terrific balance on their side as compared to a Proteas team in the 1990’s.

Tendulkar said that the South Africa team don’t have the luxury of playing a batsman, who can also fill in as a fast bowler and a bowler who can play a handy role at number 6, according to the Times of India.

I’m not saying they’re not a good team. They’ve been among the best at home and away over a sustained period of time. But they don’t enjoy the luxury they did when the likes of Brian McMillan and Jacques Kallis were around. I’m talking about a time when a batsman (Kallis) in the team could be that extra bowler or that a bowler (McMillan) in the team could be counted upon to score the runs. And not just any batsman who could ball but one of the best all-rounders ever (Kallis).

Sachin Tendulkar told the <i>Times of India </i>

Tendulkar expressed that India’s performance will majorly depend on how the team tackles the new ball.

The first spell is going to be very critical. A lot depends on how we tackle the new ball. If we handle the new ball well then we can actually set the pace for the innings. Getting runs on the board is the key. Regardless of it all, it all depends on how you do on Day 1.

Sachin Tendulkar told the <i>Times of India</i>

The batting legend stressed upon the fact that the Indian batsmen will need to have a clear mind and be disciplined to take on the challenge in South Africa.

Discipline. That’s the key. And then it’s about footwork, but footwork is more about the mind. If the mind is free, then the feet are free. These are two important aspects. A lot depends on what state of mind you are in, whether you’re complicating things inside your mind or just keeping it simple. Discipline has to come instinctively and learn what to play, what to leave.

Sachin Tendulkar told the <i>Times of India </i>

When asked about how can the batsman stop himself from fishing outside the off-stump, Tendulkar said that the key is to not play shots away from one’s body.

A good batsman will always see to it that his hands are close to him. And a good bowler will always see to it that he gets the batsman to move his hands away from the body. Both exactly work the opposite of each other and that’s where the plotting begins. The closer your hands remain to your body will mean you’re using your feet, which in turn is what your mind is telling you, to move closer in line of the ball. If the feet don’t move, but the batsman tries to move in line with the ball, then the upper body begins to compensate for that movement. That’s where it gets tricky. How you settle down into that rhythm is the key.

Sachin Tendulkar told the <i>Times of India </i>

(Breathe In, Breathe Out: Are you finding it tough to breathe polluted air? Join hands with FIT in partnership with #MyRightToBreathe to find a solution to pollution. Send in your suggestions to [e-mail] or WhatsApp @ [phone])