'You Can Go Back To The Pavilion': Sachin Tendulkar's Key Advice For Batters

Indian cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar shared his insights into the challenges of batting in New Zealand, highlighting the importance of patience, technique and adapting to conditions, while also explaining the differences between approaching Test and One-Day International (ODI) cricket. Team India are currently touring New Zealand, where they clinched the five-match T20I series 3-2. The Shubman Gill-led side will next face the hosts in a five-match ODI series, beginning at Eden Park, Auckland, on Wednesday, before a two-match Test series starting on November 19.

During a Reddit Ask Me Anything (AMA) session, Tendulkar was asked why New Zealand is considered one of the most challenging countries for batters among the SENA nations (South Africa, England, New Zealand and Australia) in Test cricket and what adjustments are required to succeed there.

Explaining the conditions, the former India batter said cooler temperatures, grass-covered pitches and windy conditions often favour fast bowlers, particularly those capable of maintaining an upright seam position.

"In New Zealand, cooler temperatures keep the surface fresh, and if there's enough grass on the pitch, bowlers can have a field day, especially with an upright seam. The wind also favours fast bowlers," Tendulkar said.

Tendulkar advised batters to keep the ball close to their body, play it late and trust their front-foot defence, adding that patience and waiting for the right scoring opportunities are vital.

"As a batter, you need to keep the ball close to your body, play it late and trust your front-foot defence. Hitting on the rise can be challenging, so patience and waiting for the right scoring opportunities are key," he said.

In another question, Tendulkar was asked about adapting to different playing conditions on overseas tours, particularly the transition between ODI and Test cricket, and whether it requires a conscious change in mindset.

Highlighting the difference between the two formats, Tendulkar stressed the importance of slowing down the thought process and paying greater attention to line and length in Test cricket.

"In Test cricket, the important thing is to slow down everything in your head and start respecting line and length more than you would in ODIs. In ODIs, you have the liberty of playing a ball to third man and going to the non-striker's end, but in Test cricket, you can go back to the pavilion," he said.

India head into the ODI leg of the tour after winning the T20I series 3-2. The visitors will look to carry that momentum into the 50-over format, while New Zealand will aim to build on their victory in the final T20I before the focus shifts to the upcoming Test series.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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