At no stage have I looked to influence anyone with my opinion, says Sachin Tendulkar

Indian team selectors have always been under constant criticism given the difficult job they have of trying to pick the proper eleven for the sea of talent available at their disposal. However, they might have just seen the severest of backlashes when they decided to exclude MS Dhoni for the T20I series against Windies and Australia.

"I don’t know what’s the mindset of the selectors is & I haven’t looked to influence anyone by giving opinions as what happens in dressing room & between captain, coach & selectors should stay within them. Whatever they are planning whatever decisions are taken should be in the best interest in the nation," Tendulkar told ANI.

India would be travelling to Australia next with Virat Kohli and company with the glorious chance of breaking their winless run down under as the Kangaroos would be without stars like Steve Smith and David Warner. After Australian legend Jeff Thomson has already put his money on India, Tendulkar also stated that India could win the cherished Test series if they could put run on board.

“The key factor is that we have to bat well and score big runs. To win a Test match you have to put a decent total on the board and then let the bowlers do the job. I think in Australia, first 25 overs or so will be critical when the ball is new and hard. That is when the ball is going to do something on the surface and if you are able to play those crucial initial spells, then I see our batting clicking in Australia.

“We have good players. It’s just that we have not been able to click. That doesn’t mean it will continue to go in the same way irrespective of the batting numbers, we just to bat well. The conditions, whatever they are, will be the same for both India and Australia. We just have to outplay them,” he added.

EDITOR'S NOTE : A similar article had been published earlier on November 2.