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 India banking on Tendulkar for series leveller
 Nagpur, Oct 25: India are banking on their fit-again talisman Sachin Tendulkar to boost their struggling batting line-up and overwhelm Australia in a must-win third cricket Test beginning here tomorrow. Tendulkar's mere presence in the playing eleven should give the hosts, whose batting is yet to click barring Virender Sehwag's knock of 155 in the drawn second Test at Chennai, a lot to cheer about.
With Australia having taken a 1-0 lead in the four-Test series, another win by the visitors will help them clinch their first ever series victory on Indian soil in 35 years, which makes it imperative for India to deliver the goods before it is too late. The hosts are expecting the master batsman, who enjoys a terrific record here at Vidarbha Cricket Association ground, to inspire them to a win and deny a determined Australia. Tendulkar has scores of 176, 179 and an unbeaten 201 in three of the four Tests he has played here.
But Tendulkar, 30 short of completing 9,500 Test runs, said he was not thinking about his past records on this ground. "It's all gone in history books. I will start from zero," said the 31-year-old adding he was looking forward to resume action after a more than two-month injury lay-off. (Agencies)
Published: Monday, October 25, 2004
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