Speaking at a promotional event here on Friday, the maestro said the likes of AB de Villiers, Hashim Amla, Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel will play a big part in the series for the South Africans, but singled out the leggie as the one Indians should watch out for.
The South African squad for the upcoming home series against India has two of the most feared fast bowlers in world cricket – Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel – but Sachin Tendulkar believed it might be leg-spinner Imran Tahir who might be the tourists' biggest weapon.
Speaking at a promotional event here on Friday, the maestro said the likes of AB de Villiers, Hashim Amla, Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel will play a big part in the series for the South Africans, but singled out the leggie as the one Indians should watch out for.
"Imran Tahir is one good bowler. We have to play against him properly and he possibly might be one of the leading bowlers in the series," Tendulkar said.
The Pakistan-born leggie has so far picked up 43 wickets in 16 Tests at an average of 46.39. That the Proteas have recalled the 36-year-old for the Test side after a gap of nine months is testimony to the confidence they have in him to inflict some damage on the Indian batting line-up, especially in the longer format.
And, it is the four-Test series that Tendulkar is looking forward to the most.
"It will be an exciting series, be it the Twenty20 or One-Day Internationals. But for me, it's the Test series that I am looking forward to. Both sides have great team balance on the fence. I have never played against a South African side that I can say was an okay side. They are always a very strong side and it is no different right now," the retired legend said.
The Indian team, which is currently undergoing a preparatory camp for the series in Bengaluru, is on a high after achieving a historic 2-1 Test series win in Sri Lanka under the leadership of Virat Kohli. The young bunch of players did crop some criticism after they snatched defeat from the jaws of victory in the first Test at Galle, but Tendulkar strongly backed the boys, saying no one can question their commitment.
"I think our team is fantastic. They are extremely talented and committed guys. A lot of things are said about the players but I know them closely, and when it comes to cricket, there are no shortcuts. The guys are committed and I'll say it is a fantastic team," he said.
Tendulkar singled out the 1993 Hero Cup semifinal at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata as his favourite India-South Africa encounter. Chasing 196 for victory, the Proteas went down by two runs. With six needed off the final over, captain Mohammad Azharuddin turned to Tendulkar, and the gamble paid off for the hosts.
"When you talk about South Africa matches, how can I forget the Hero Cup semifinal, the most incredible match that I have been part of. Till the last ball, nobody knew what was happening. The momentum kept shifting constantly. That was one massive experience for me," Tendulkar said.
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