'You are supposed to play on any surface'- Sachin Tendulkar reacts to the allegations of 'Pitch doctoring'

On Wednesday, the much-awaited Test series between India and Australia began in Nagpur with visitors winning the toss and opting to bat first on a spin-friendly track. However, the debate over the pitch continues as hosts are being accused of ‘doctoring’ the pitch. Legendary India batter Sachin Tendulkar has now responded to the allegations made by Australian media. 

When Tendulkar was asked about the same, he made a perfect response and asked visitors to perform well on the spinning surface they are well aware of the Indian conditions. In an interaction with PTI, the master blaster said,

“When you become an international cricketer, you are supposed to play on any kind of surface in the world. Those are the challenges of traveling. 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.” 

“So is the case with the Australian team, when they are in India. They know that there will be a turn and the nature of the surface will be slowish. They are prepared for that; they have practiced with SG balls. Every team prepares to the best of their abilities and it is what happens around them amplified 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 added.

"Reverse Swing will play a big role", believes Sachin Tendulkar

Tendulkar said seamers will also play a crucial role along with the spinners as the bowl will reverse swing.

“The first hour of every morning, seamers will come into play and so will the spinners because in the morning there is going to be that bite in the surface.”

“I remember playing one game in Nagpur where spinners dominated the morning session. The oddball went straight and the 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 the reverse will come into play in this series”, he added. 

Talking about the first game, Australia won the toss and opted to bat first on a spin-friendly wicket on Thursday. However, Indian seamers gave two early breakthroughs and both Aussie openers departed cheaply. Mohammed Siraj and Mohammed Shami took one wicket each.