Tendulkar not to play NZ T20 Internationals
India’s most successful batsman of all time, Sachin Tendulkar, has ruled himself out of the two Twenty20 Internationals for the upcoming tour to New Zealand.
Speaking at a promotional event held in his hometown, Mumbai, Tendulkar said, “The team looks settled and I do not want to disturb the combination so I will continue not to play Twenty20 Internationals.”
India won the inaugural ICC World Twenty20 in South Africa (in 2007) when it beat traditional rivals Pakistan by five runs. However Tendulkar hinted that he may not be embarking on the journey to England later this year in order to defend the trophy with his teammates.
In the meanwhile the senior-most member of the Indian squad has completely ruled himself out of the two Twenty20 Internationals to be played against New Zealand later this month.
He did state, however, that he will continue to lead and play for his home-team, Mumbai Indians, in the upcoming second season of the Indian Premier League which gets underway on April 10 this year.
The Indian squad is just back home from a successful series in Sri Lanka where they defeated the hosts 4-1 in the one day international series and won the sole Twenty20 International by 3 wickets.
New Zealand series will be a challenge: Tendulkar
The team will now head to New Zealand for a long tour which comprises of two Twenty20 Internationals, five ODIs and three Test matches.
According to Tendulkar, “It is going to be a challenge playing in New Zealand as we (India) have to fight against the conditions.”
Talking about the variable conditions south of the equator, Tendulkar, who has previously toured New Zealand six times, said, “When you bowl from one end, the bowler gets up to 130 kmph and from the other end you can clock up to 135 kmph so someone not used to changes can find it difficult.”
“Your bowling speed and bat swing gets affected because of the conditions. It will be a learning experience for those who’ve not played there before and it will be the responsibility of the senior players and coaches to guide them.”
India will not play a practice match prior to the two Twenty20 Internationals in New Zealand. With regard to this Tendulkar said “The international calendar is such that we need to adjust to such situations but it should not be a worry.”
India has not enjoyed much success in New Zealand. The last time the Indian team toured there, they were beaten 0-2 in the Tests and 2-5 in the ODIs.
Commenting on the referral system, the 38-year old veteran batsman said, “I did not like it (referral system) when I played in Sri Lanka (July/August 2008). There is an element of uncertainty. I like the hotspot though.”
