The Indian team is used to temperate climes and Pakistan is going to be really cold around this time of the year. Acclimatisation maybe a problem.
MUMBAI: It was supposed to be a function where MRF were felicitating Finland’s Jussi Valimaki and Jarkko Kalliolepo, who made up the team that won the FIA Asia Pacific Rally Championship for production cars in 2005. But then Sachin Tendulkar came into the picture.
Out went the questions related to rallying and Finland. And suddenly the focus was all on one man and one game – cricket.
The Indian team is used to temperate climes and Pakistan is going to be really cold around this time of the year. Acclimatization maybe a problem. “I don’t think winter is a disadvantage. We have to play no matter what the weather is like. Yes, in Mumbai there isn’t really a winter but then over the years I have become accustomed to playing in the cold weather. When I first played for Yorkshire, we would wear three jumpers to stay warm. So I don’t think the cold is going to prove to be a very big problem,” said Tendulkar.
Last time round, when India reached Pakistan, it was after holding Australia to a 1-1 draw in the Test series there. The confidence and momentum was completely in India. “I think this Pakistan team is definitely better opposition this time round. I think at the moment, they have very good momentum. We have also defeated Sri Lanka and tied the ODI series against South Africa. Pakistan are better but we have been doing well too. I think it will an evenly matched series,” said the 32-year-old.
One big factor in Pakistan’s victory over England was the form displayed by Shoaib Akhtar, with the ball, and Inzamam-ul-Haq, with the bat. “Well, Inzamam and Shoaib were there last time round too. We have faced them before. We need to focus on what we need to do, not what they can do.”
The banter between the Indian and Pakistan team has been missing up to this point. Perhaps the only point of discussion was the fact that Pakistan is said to be producing quick wickets for the contest. “Quick wickets being prepared are fine. Last time, our medium pacers bowled very well too. So it will help them too. But at the end of the day, it isn’t not only about bowling but also the batting,” said the master batsman.
Sachin has been known for the way he prepares for series. “I have been batting against a bowling machine at decent speeds. This is basically to get my body reacting to such speeds,” said Tendulkar. And finally a look back at 2005. “Well, 2005 tested my patience, both on and off the field. All I want in 2006 is runs.”
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