'We know what to expect from Tendulkar'

Sachin Tendulkar may be approaching his 40th birthday, but Australian opener David Warner is aware of the threat the senior India batsman could pose in the upcoming Test series.

"I think a guy who has got 25,000 first class runs is a legend. At the end of the day he has got the stats behind him, the experience behind him. We are here playing in his own territory and we know what to expect from the great batsman," Warner said on Tuesday.

The Aussie said his team will have to be on their toes to avoid punishment form Tendulkar, who will be turning be 40 on April 24.

"He can come out and score a hundred in 100 balls or 100 off 200 balls. He was not himself in Australia. We sort of worked on him back home. In these conditions we got to adapt or he would get on top of us. We got to be disciplined and execute our skills or else we would be punished.

"He has scored a 100 in Irani Cup. He has the passion for the game. He was disappointed with the way the other batsmen got out and he shook his head. You don't get a batsman like him shaking his head.

"It shows he still has the passion and he is going to come out and show what he is. He doesn't need to prove anyone.... He is going to make runs for India," he said.

Talking about Harbhajan Singh, who has troubled the Aussies in the past, Warner said, "I don't think there would be too much of chirping. We are good mates off the field. The IPL has brought in good balance between all players.
 
"In the field off course we are competitive. But there is a line that no one ever crosses. But you are going to get some banter from some of the guys and learn to cop that. We dished out at home and will be prepared to take it. You know the culprits."

Asked if he had spoken to Sehwag, Warner said, "Yeah, I have spoken to him a couple of times. It comes back to the thing he says. We both play cricket. You got stumps that can be knocked over. You have fielder who can catch you out. Try to be relaxed. See the ball and hit the ball."