India vs Australia: Sachin Tendulkar backs Virat Kohli and Co to mount strong fightback

India may have been humbled at home by Australia with a 333-run hiding in the first Test of the four-match series in Pune, but Sachin Tendulkar has backed the beleaguered hosts to mount a comeback.

“It was a tough Test for us. But it is a part and parcel of the game. The defeat (in the first Test) does not mean that the series is lost, the series is still wide open,” the batting legend was quoted as saying by NDTV.com .

Having lost the Test at Pune’s Maharashtra Cricket Association stadium within three days, skipper Virat Kohli described the performance as India’s “worst batting display in the last two years”. The world’s top-ranked Test team was bowled out for a paltry 105 runs in the first innings and 107 in the second.

However, Tendulkar said that he was certain that the Indian team will fight back will all their strength given their never-say-die spirit. He added that Australians would be wary of India hitting back in the remaining Tests. He pointed out that whenever he was part of the Indian team which beat the Australians, they knew the Aussies would come back at them really hard.

“That is what makes sport interesting. There are good moments and there are tough moments but it all about how you stand back on your feet again and compete again. I have no doubt that the Indian team is going to come back and compete really hard.”

The second Test will start at Bangalore from Saturday.