Sachin Tendulkar
Sachin Tendulkar (Credits: Twitter)

Indian captain Virat Kohli’s decision to skip the final three Test in Australia has been one of the most discussed topics in the last few weeks. Virat Kohli will return home to be with his wife Anushka Sharma as they are expecting the impending birth of their first child in January. While Sachin Tendulkar believes that the skipper’s absence indeed creates a gaping hole in the line-up, he reminds that it is not an individual game.

Virat Kohli inspired India’s comeback in their ongoing tour of Australia by leading them to victory in the T20 series after the visitors lost the ODI leg comprehensively. The 32-year old also had an integral role to play in the men in blue first Test series win down under in 2018-19 as he hardly let them lose confidence and kept the aggressive button on. Kohli, who is the most experienced player in the Indian team would undeniably be missed.

Brad Hodge, Virat Kohli, Damien Fleming
Virat Kohli (Credits – Getty)

Sachin Tendulkar acknowledged Virat Kohli’s absence leaving a massive void; however, insisted on remembering that cricket is a team sport and having a glance at India’s bench strength. Thus, Kohli’s absence is only an opportunity for a youngster to make their mark and their presence felt.

When you lose an experienced player like this (Kohli) there is without any doubt a void. But let’s understand, this is not about individuals. It is about our team and the best part about Indian cricket right now is there is bench strength. So Virat has to come back for personal reasons and some youngster is going to get a chance to play in his spot and that’s an opportunity for someone else,” Sachin told AFP.

India has a complete bowling attack: Sachin Tendulkar

Mohammed Shami, Jasprit Bumrah, New Zealand vs India 2020, India
Mohammed Shami and Jasprit Bumrah. Photo Credit: Getty Images.

Sachin Tendulkar further said that he does not believe in comparing; however, reckons India has a complete bowling attack along with all types of bowlers who could trouble the Australian batsmen. Tendulkar pointed out that the visitors have bowlers who could swing the ball, hit the deck hard, and have a good combination of finger and wrist-spinners too.

“Every era should be kept separate, I don’t like comparing. But I can say that it (India) is a complete bowling attack. So it doesn’t matter what kind of surface you are playing on, you have got all sides covered. You have got bowlers who can swing the ball. When it comes to variations and awkwardness, that is also there. Someone hitting the deck hard is also there. We have got a wrist spinner, we have got finger spinners,” he added.

Also Read: Virat Kohli Becomes The Second Indian Batsman After Sachin Tendulkar To Score 3000 Runs In Australia

Read More  Rishabh Pant set to create history as 1st Delhi Capitals player to reach this milestone in IPL 2024