AUS vs IND: Sachin Tendulkar backs India to win without Kohli and Rohit

India commence the four-match Test series against Australia tomorrow (17th December, Thursday) in Adelaide in their first away day-night Test match. While Virat Kohli will be leading the side in this encounter, he shall return home after completion of the first game. Rohit Sharma will be available only after the second Test. However, Sachin Tendulkar believes that the current Indian team has enough talent and bench strength to win the series without these two marquee players.

“Our batting has enough depth,” Tendulkar, highest run-getter against Australia in Tests, said in a telephonic interview to Reuters. “Rohit wasn’t there in New Zealand also, it’s not the first time that we are travelling without Rohit. Nothing is guaranteed … sometimes players get injured and are ruled out of a tournament or an entire series. One has to be prepared to play without whoever that individual is. Eventually, it is about the team, not about individuals,” the legendary batsman added.

Plagued with a hamstring injury, Rohit Sharma missed out in the ODI and T20I series against Australia. India lost the ODIs 1-2 but made a strong comeback to clinch the T20I series 2-1. Sharma, meanwhile, was cleared to play by NCA and shall now serve the 14-day quarantine period in Australia. He is likely to be available for the last two Tests.

In Kohli’s absence, Ajinkya Rahane shall be stepping up as the Indian Test captain. The middle-order batsman has successfully played this role before. Interestingly, in his first Test as India captain, he led the side to a victory against Australia. Tendulkar believes he will also be successful in this series.

“I’ve seen Ajinkya lead earlier. He’s quite a calm, composed guy, balanced guy. He’s aggressive but he’s in control. I’ve seen him closely, he’s someone who wants to learn, who wants to grasp as many things as possible. I find him a very sincere, hardworking player, ” Tendulkar said.

The Master Blaster also added that the day-night Test should have been the last fixture, which would have allowed the cricketers to adjust to its demand in a better manner.

“The last test should have been the pink ball match so that gradual transition is there. We haven’t played test cricket for 10 months and now the first test match that we will play will be with pink ball. Ideally, players would have found a normal test match an easier transition maybe,” Tendulkar explained.