Sachin Tendulkar would like to see Australia's Steve Smith, David Warner play against India

The cricketing world is divided in its opinion on the length of bans for Australians Steve Smith and David Warner for their involvement in Sandpapergate in South Africa in March this year. The two will not be seen in action when India tour Australia for four Tests starting next month as the duo will still be serving their one-year bans that end in March 2019.

While Australian Cricket Association wants their ban reduced, their own player, pacer Peter Siddle wants Smith, Warner and opening batsman Cameron Bancroft to serve their bans out.

Legendary batsman Sachin Tendulkar, who is dear to the Australian cricketing fraternity and who has scored runs aplenty Down Under in his glorious career said on Thursday that he would like to see Smith and Warner in action when India toured Australia soon.

But Tendulkar, being the ever non-controversial person that he has been, was guarded in his statement. On the sidelines of Tendulkar Middlesex Global Academy camp in Mumbai on Thursday, Tendulkar said when asked if personally he would like to see Warner and Smith play against India to make it an even contest: “I would want to see good cricket for sure (smiles). They both (Smith and Warner) are world-class players. I don't want to get into that debate whether the ban should be reduced or not. But I would like to see them. But by no means am I saying or interfering in what their judgement has been. All I am saying is they both are world-class players.”

With Smith and Warner out weakening the Australian side, India have a bright chance of creating history there. Tendulkar said: “I think we have a huge opportunity (in Australia). The Australian team does not look the same Australian side that it used to be, and with Smith and Warner not there, this is a great opportunity to go out and do something special.”

‘Healthy competition always welcome’

Tendulkar was also pleased with the current crop of Indian fast bowlers and said Jasprit Bumrah holds the key in the current set up. “Good for us. If there is competition heating up, why not? Healthy competition is always welcome, that means we have got good fast bowlers who are sitting on the bench also. Whenever bench strength is also strong, in case there are some injuries at the last moment, you know that someone sitting out is fully geared up and ready to go out and deliver. I think we are in that position at this stage. Yes there is always room for improvement. However good you become, however better you become. They want to get better each time they get out on the field. In particular, (Jasprit) Bumrah's presence is going to be important,” he said.

About Tendulkar Middlesex Global Academy

Tendulkar Middlesex Global Academy is in collaboration with the Middlesex County Cricket Club to make a difference in the lives of promising cricketers and make them better citizens. The first camp that began on Thursday, runs till November 4 at the DY Patil Stadium, Navi Mumbai, before shifting to MIG Club, Bandra from November 6-9. It later shifts to Pune’s Bishop School from November 12-15. Vastly experienced coaches including Level 4 coaches and Indian stalwarts including Vinod Kambli, Pradeep Sundaram, Shantanu Sugwekar, Milind Gunjal will assist the trainees. Current England internationals Dawid Malan and Toby Roland-Jones, and recently-retired Nick Compton will also help the youngsters in the clinics.