Imran Tahir is a serious threat in Indian conditions: Tendulkar

Imran Tahir is a serious threat in Indian conditions: Tendulkar: Cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar on Friday advised the Indian players to be wary of South African leg-spinner Imran Tahir in the upcoming home series against the Proteas. The tourists will begin their tour with a T20 warm-up game on September 29 in New Delhi which will be followed by three T20Is, five ODIs and four Test matches.

“Imran Tahir is one good bowler. They will have to play against him properly and he possibly might be one of the leading bowlers,” the 42-year-old Tendulkar said at an event in Mumbai. Tahir, known to be a wicket-taking bowler, was recalled to the South African Test side after a gap of nine months.

Sachin heaped praise on the entire Indian team, terming them as a fantastic and committed squad. “I think the Indian team is fantastic. They are extremely talented and committed. A lot of things are said about the players but I know them very closely, and when it comes to cricket there are no shortcuts. The guys are committed and I again say it is a fantastic team,” he opined.

Tendulkar also pointed out that Proteas have a quality line-up with the presence of AB de Villiers, Hashim Amla, Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel, among others, and said India should be on their toes. The Bharat Ratna awardee is particularly excited about the Test series.

“It will be an exciting series be it T20s, (or the) ODI series, but the Test series is something I am looking forward to. (There is) great team balance (on) both sides of the fence. The visiting South African team is a quality side, I never played against a South Africa side which I can say is an okay side. They are always a strong side and it is no different right now,” he added.

Recalling his encounters against the Proteas, Tendulkar said his performance in the Hero Cup semi-final against South Africa in November 1993 at the iconic Eden Gardens is something he will never forget. The little champion bowled an excellent final over, conceding only three runs to keep South Africa to 193/9 in a chase of 195 and helped India reach the finals.

“When you talk about South Africa matches, how can I forget the Hero Cup semi-final, the most incredible match I have been part of. Till the last ball nobody knew what was happening. That was one big and massive experience for me. (Matches against) South Africa are something which always give you something new,” he said.