Story ProgressBack to home
Sachin ready to take on Aussies
Sachin Tendulkar has reached Nagpur ahead of the 3rd Test between Indian and Australia that begins on Tuesday.
- NDTVSports
- Updated: February 25, 2007 09:09 AM IST
Read Time:2 min
Nagpur:
Sachin Tendulkar has reached Nagpur ahead of the 3rd Test between Indian and Australia that begins on Tuesday. Sachin, who was suffering from a tennis elbow, took part in the practice session today. The master blaster has said he is both physically and mentally fit to take on the Aussies. Intense sessions He added that he had prepared himself well for the crucial tie by undergoing "intense" practice sessions over the last three-four days. The batting genius, who has not played an international match since August 1 Asia Cup final in Sri Lanka, conceded that he has been trying to make up for lack of match practice during the net sessions. "I have played against Australia and I know what to expect. Unfortunately I have not had match practice but I have been having intense net sessions over the last 3-4 days," Tendulkar said. Tendulkar said he was very frustrated at having to sit out of the previous two Tests and now he was very eager to get back to the thick of things. "It was extremely difficult to stay in the dressing room and not play. Now I'll just go out and enjoy myself and try to give my best," he said. Extra pressure The Little Master, who enjoys a great record here with scores of 176, 179 and an unbeaten 201 in three of the four Tests that he has played here, did not think that he was rushing himself into the match. "I know it won't be normal in the immediate future. The doctors have said it will be stiff, it is not going to be 100 per cent in near future. But that's okay, I'm not feeling any pain," he said. To a question whether he could bat for 5-6 hours, he said he had not been able to practice for so long at a stretch in the nets. "I will be more than happy if I can do that." Asked if he would be feeling extra pressure going in to the match, he said, "Definitely. But everytime I walk out in the middle I feel butterflies in my stomach. This is the way I prepare myself." Meanwhile, the Australian team-led by Adam Gilchrist also practiced at the nets in Nagpur.(With PTI inputs)
Topics mentioned in this article
Cricket
Get the Latest IPL 2024 Updates, check out IPL 2024 schedules and IPL points table at NDTV Sports.Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter for more sports updates. You can also download the NDTV Cricket app for Android or iOS.