Mumbai: Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar said that it is a good sign that Sachin Tendulkar is getting some runs under his belt in the Ranji Trophy match before the upcoming four-Test series against England.
Gavaskar was one of those who had said the 39-year-old’s mode of dismissals in recent matches was concerning.
“He is one the most hard-working, studious guys you come across. I think Sachin would have got enough time to think about how he got out. If he has got the runs now, obviously he has worked hard for it.
“The evidence will be seen in the Test matches. The fact that he has got runs is a good sign,” Gavaskar told reporters at a promotional event.
On Friday, Tendulkar roared back to form ahead of the upcoming Test series against England with a strokeful 137 in 136 balls against Railways in the Ranji match.
On his earlier comment on the senior batsman’s dismissals, he said, “That was the early part of the season. Some people can be a little bit rusty. India had a rare two months off from international cricket.
“But he is somebody who would have noticed it himself and studied the videos. So I don’t see too much of an issue.”
Gavaskar also said that India will have an edge over England in the upcoming Test series if they manage to win the first match, but added that the hosts’ batting line-up looks shaky.
“I have always believed that home teams have an edge. They are familiar with the conditions. They are able to be in the surroundings they are comfortable in.
“In 2011, England very vulnerable, Australia were very vulnerable. The first Test becomes an important factor. England won the first Test and Australia won the first Test.
“You derive strength from that. If India wins the first Test, I don’t think England will be able to come back,” Gavaskar said.
He maintained that the batting looks depleted with the retirement of senior players like Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman and the opening pair of Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir struggling for form.
“The batting looks a bit shaky. Dravid and Laxman have retired. Cheteshwar Pujara is new. The batting looks a bit weakened compared to what we had earlier.”
Meanwhile, on the first day of the second England practice match, against Mumbai A, the visitors reached 338-6.
Jonny Bairstow hit 118 for England on a day that was dominated by the middle order; Eoin Morgan (76) and Samit Patel (59) were the other big scorers.
England fielded the relatively inexperienced Joe Root and Nick Compton at the top of the order.
The tourists also announced that pacer Stuart Meaker has been called up for the injured Steven Finn, who had to pull out of the first practice match. (PTI)