Tendulkar backs India to hit back after Pune thrashing

Australia will already know to expect a stern fightback from India, having demolished them in Pune, says Sachin Tendulkar.

Sachin Tendulkar has backed India to "come back and compete hard" after suffering a demolition at the hands of Australia in the first Test in Pune.

Australia captain Steve Smith's stunning second-innings century and match figures of 12-70 from spinner Steve O'Keefe — the best by an Australian bowler in India —combined to give Virat Kohli's side a 333-run defeat — its first home loss in Tests since 2012.

Kohli could only manage 13 runs across his two knocks, having scored a double century in each of his last four series.

But India icon Tendulkar has backed the current crop to bounce back in the four-Test series, starting with the second match in Bangalore.

"It was a tough game for us and it's part and parcel of the game," Tendulkar said of the Pune shellacking. "That doesn't mean the series is closed. The series is wide open. 

"Knowing the spirit of the Indian team, I know they will fight back hard and the Australian team knows about it.

"When we played Australia, and beat them, we knew they would come back really hard. 

"That is what makes sport interesting. That is what sportsmen play for.

"There are good moments, there are tough moments, but it is all about how you stand on your feet again and start competing and I have no doubt the Indian team is going to come back and compete hard."