Tendulkar is the only in-form Indian batsman: Warner
Swashbuckling Australian opener David Warner says Sachin Tendulkar is the only in-form batsman in a struggling Indian line-up in the ongoing Test series but he expects the rest to show some aggression in the fourth and final match starting on January 24.
“There might be a lot of people in their shed wondering how they're going to score runs,” the 25-year-old, who struck a match-winning century in the third Test in Perth, said.
“In my mind there is probably only one player (in form) and that's Sachin Tendulkar who looks like he's using a sight screen when he comes out to bat.
“But the other players, they're all world-class players. You look at the amount of runs they've got in the top six in their careers. It's phenomenal. We are expecting them to show some aggression in this next Test,” he said.
Tendulkar has had a couple of half centuries during the series, which India trail 0-3, but he continues to chase an elusive 100th international hundred.
In fact, India are a team in crisis after seven back-to-back Test losses on foreign soil and Warner said the Aussies would aim to make it eight in a row.
“As Michael Clarke said the other day after the game (in Perth), celebrate your win but at the end of the day we want to try and beat the second team in the world four-nil,” Warner said.
“That's a massive thing for us at the moment. Our goal is to become number one again by the next Ashes in 2013. If we can keep working towards that, our goals will be achieved,” he added.
Warner, who had a verbal spat with Indian pacer Ishant Sharma during the Perth Test, said some banter is expected as players from both sides are passionate about representing their nations.
“When you come to a series like Australia against India you're playing for your countries. The competition on the field is exactly what it is. We are all about playing for Australia, they are all about playing for India,” Warner said.
“There is always be going to be a bit of banter on the field and then off the field you're going to be mates. That's the way it should be. You've got to be warriors on the field and saints off it,” he added.
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