Legendary Indian
batsman Sachin Tendulkar on Tuesday extended his greetings to new captain
Ajinkya Rahane, hoping the youngster will do a good job during the upcoming
Zimbabwe tour.
Rahane, 27, is first
cricketer from Mumbai in 15 years to be handed the reins of the team since
Tendulkar led the team in 2000.
The selectors
announced a second-string team for the tour, resting most of the senior players
such as Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Virat Kohli.
"I feel very
happy for Ajinkya. He is a sincere and hard working cricketer. I have always
been impressed with his commitment and dedication. I am sure he will give his
best and give us a reason to be proud of him. I wish him all the best," Tendulkar
told PTI.
Rahane's elevation
has come days after he was dropped from the playing XI for the last two
One-dayers in the recent Bangaldesh ODI series.
Regular skipper Dhoni
had justified Rahane's exclusion, saying he struggles to rotate strike on slow
pitches.
India are scheduled
to play three ODIs in Harare (July 10, 12 and 14) followed by a couple of
Twenty20 Internationals (July 17 and 19).
