Have to accept that Sachin is no longer available: MS
19 Dec 2013 4:34 AM IST
India captain MS Dhoni said on Tuesday the young team has accepted the fact that Sachin Tendulkar is no longer available and they will have to ‘move on’ and concentrate on the job at hand.
‘With the last Test match we played in India, it is 100 per cent sure that Sachin won’t be available for any more international series. It was always good to have him, but now that he won’t be there, we have to concentrate on what he have in our hands. We have accepted that fact and moved on,’ Dhoni said on the eve of first Test.
This is the first time since November 1996 that all four batting stalwarts from the last two decades, Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, VVS Laxman and Sourav Ganguly will be missing from the Indian line-up.
‘Every series is a fresh start. There is no point bringing excess baggage. It is about getting used to conditions and offering what the team has. There are plenty of youngsters in this side, who will get exposure by playing competitive cricket at the Test level. So it’s a big positive for us,’ Dhoni said.
As is his wont, Dhoni didn’t reveal the playing XI. Asked about who will be batting at No 4, Dhoni replied: ‘Wait and watch!’
Big Test for Indian batters: Smith
South African captain Graeme Smith warned on Tuesday India's inexperienced batsmen will face a tough challenge from South Africa's fast bowlers in the two-Test starting Wednesday. ‘Obviously they're hugely talented but it's a very different line-up to the one I've become accustomed to playing against. Touring in other parts of the world is a big test of character and that's going to be on show in these two Test matches,’ said Smith.
‘With the last Test match we played in India, it is 100 per cent sure that Sachin won’t be available for any more international series. It was always good to have him, but now that he won’t be there, we have to concentrate on what he have in our hands. We have accepted that fact and moved on,’ Dhoni said on the eve of first Test.
This is the first time since November 1996 that all four batting stalwarts from the last two decades, Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, VVS Laxman and Sourav Ganguly will be missing from the Indian line-up.
‘Every series is a fresh start. There is no point bringing excess baggage. It is about getting used to conditions and offering what the team has. There are plenty of youngsters in this side, who will get exposure by playing competitive cricket at the Test level. So it’s a big positive for us,’ Dhoni said.
As is his wont, Dhoni didn’t reveal the playing XI. Asked about who will be batting at No 4, Dhoni replied: ‘Wait and watch!’
Big Test for Indian batters: Smith
South African captain Graeme Smith warned on Tuesday India's inexperienced batsmen will face a tough challenge from South Africa's fast bowlers in the two-Test starting Wednesday. ‘Obviously they're hugely talented but it's a very different line-up to the one I've become accustomed to playing against. Touring in other parts of the world is a big test of character and that's going to be on show in these two Test matches,’ said Smith.
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