World Cup: Tendulkar to enter commentary box as an expert

Tendulkar joins an illustrious panel of experts in the pre-show on Star Sports; he will have his own segment ‘Sachin Opens Again’.

Former India captain Sachin Tendulkar will take his place in the commentary box ahead of the tournament opener between host England and South Africa.

Cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar will make his debut as an on-air expert in the ICC ODI World Cup, starting on Thursday in the United Kingdom.

The Master Blaster will take his place in the commentary box ahead of the tournament opener between host England and South Africa.

Tendulkar joins an illustrious panel of experts in the pre-show on Star Sports . He will have his own segment ‘Sachin Opens Again’.

 

Ahead of the World Cup opener between England and South Africa, he said he would keep a keen eye on David Warner, Rashid Khan and Jofra Archer, the players who can be potential ‘Game Changers’ in the six World Cup weeks.

“I think he’s (Rashid) going to be instrumental in creating those upsets in this tournament. If I have to tell him something, I would say, ‘Look, treat this like a Test match. Because even in the T20 format, you’ve been able to pick wickets because the batters have not read what you’ve done with your wrist. And you do that, back yourself, have an attacking field, and challenge batters to hit over mid-on and mid-off,’” Tendulkar said on his commentary debut on Star Sports .

For Tendulkar, Warner’s peak fitness during IPL was key to his stellar show.

“I saw him (Warner) in the IPL and he made a huge statement there. He looked hungry, determined, focused and fitter. Warner was anyway fit, but he looked unbelievably fit (in the IPL). In extreme conditions, he pushed himself and ran hard. He looks determined so I think he’s the batter to watch out for,” he said.

Archer’s ability to bowl brilliant deliveries in crunch situations has impressed the batting maestro.

“I am looking forward to Jofra Archer bowling for England because I know, in crunch moments, England are always going to look at Jofra Archer to bowl those tight overs. Or if you need a breakthrough, you need Jofra Archer to come and give that breakthrough.”

The 46-year-old, who has represented India in six World Cups, holds the record for scoring the highest number of runs in a single edition of the World Cup, scoring 673 in 2003.

India opens its campaign on June 5 against South Africa.