Sydney, Dec 16 : Former batsman and teammate of Sachin Tendulkar, Sanjay Manjrekar, believes the master blaster should have used India’s recent one-day international series against the West Indies to complete his hundredth international century rather than bring that “baggage” with him to Australia.

Manjrekar (38) claims that the landmark is a distraction for Tendulkar that he could have done without it as India aims to pull off a first ever series win in Australia.

Tendulkar has compiled an extraordinary 99 international tons, 51 in Tests, 48 in one-day matches, and his quest for three figures has become a national obsession in India since his last ton in March.

“I actually felt very strongly that he should have played in those one-dayers that India played at home and get rid of the monkey on his back,” The Sydney Morning Herald quoted Manjrekar, as saying.

“''He could have gone to Australia a lot more free and relaxed, but he’s chosen not to do that. When the Indian fans come to Melbourne that whole event will again get hyped up and it just adds to the pressure, I feel, on Tendulkar.

“I would have liked him to go to Australia, because it’s an important tour, without that extra baggage. All of us who have watched him here in India feel that it is a little bit of a burden for him,” he said.

India have been cast as favourites against an Australian side coming off a first defeat to New Zealand on home soil in 26 years, but Manjrekar is wary of expectations being set too high.

Manjrekar identifies India’s pair of spin bowlers as potential key weapon for MS Dhoni’s side. (ANI)