A look at Sachin Tendulkar's Test batting record in England gives a glimpse of his ability to bat amid tough conditions. The India batting legend has played 17 matches in his career in England between 1990 and 2011 in which he hammered 1,575 runs in 30 innings at an average of 54.31. Tendulkar has scored 4 Test centuries and 8 fifties in his career in England.
Now, as India prepare to face off against New Zealand in the World Test Championship final, Sachin Tendulkar has advice to give to Indian openers - Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill.
Also read: VVS Laxman on how India opener can tackle Boult in WTC final
The WTC final between Virat Kohli's India and Kane Williamson's New Zealand will begin on June 18th and will be played in Southampton. With the conditions in Southampton expected to favour Kiwi speedsters, it is pertinent for Gill and Rohit to stick it out in the middle and give India a great start.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with PTI news agency, Tendulkar said that the openers need to play close to the body and to do that, they need to keep their hands closer to the body as well.
{{/usCountry}}Speaking in an exclusive interview with PTI news agency, Tendulkar said that the openers need to play close to the body and to do that, they need to keep their hands closer to the body as well.
{{/usCountry}}"Playing close to the body starts with keeping your hands close to the body. When you take a back-lift your hands need to be as close to your body as possible," Sachin said.
"When your hands are close to your body, you are in better control of defending the ball and playing as late as possible. But when hands start going away, there is less control on your bat swing and balance is affected," he further explained.
Meanwhile, former India cricketer VVS Laxman backed Shubman Gill to open in the WTC final.
"Well, I would like continuity. I think Shubman Gill is a wonderful talent, he has shown what he is capable of doing under pressure," Laxman said in a virtual press conference organized by ‘official broadcasters’ Star Sports.