World Cup 2015: Thunder Down Under as Sachin Tendulkar Comes Calling
Sachin Tendulkar is in Melbourne and is expected to catch India vs South Africa match from the stands.
- NDTVSports
- Updated: February 22, 2015 01:37 am IST
South Africa may have former India coach Gary Kirsten with them but the Men in Blue will have cricket's biggest weapon this Sunday. Revered by fans and players all over, legendary cricketer Sachin Tendulkar in Melbourne and is expected to cheer for the defending champions when they take on Proteas here in their second Pool B match of World Cup 2015.
Tendulkar - a veteran of six World Cups - will watch the India vs South Africa in what will be his first match of the marquee tournament form the stands. The 41-year-old, who bade farewell to international cricket in 2013, will cheer the Men in Blue as they look to build on their emphatic win against arch-rivals Pakistan last Sunday.
Much has been said about Kirsten - coach of the Indian team that won the World Cup in 2011. Currently working as a consultant with Cricket South African, many believe he would be used as the secret weapon. With Tendulkar in the stands though, the tables may have already shifted India's way. After all, every single player in the team has grown up watching the batsman either create or break records. If having their hero watching from the gallery does not inspire the players, nothing would.
As for the actual contest, both teams have been toiling hard in the nets to secure a win. While India overpowered Pakistan in their first match, South Africa had defeated neigbours Zimbabwe. With both teams looking to add to their two points, a formidable battle is on the cards.