David Warner

Calcutta: Australia opener David Warner says Sachin Tendulkar is the only in-form batsman in a struggling Indian line-up in the ongoing Test series but he expects the rest to show some aggression in the fourth and final match, starting Tuesday.

“There might be a lot of people in their shed wondering how they’re going to score runs,” the 25-year-old, who struck a match-winning century in the third Test in Perth, was quoted as saying by The Australian Associated Press.

“In my mind there is probably only one player (in form) and that’s Sachin Tendulkar who looks like he’s using a sight screen when he comes out to bat.

“But the other players, they’re all world-class players. You look at the amount of runs they’ve got in the top six in their careers. It’s phenomenal. We are expecting them to show some aggression in this next Test,” he said.

Tendulkar has had a couple of half-centuries during the series, which India trail 0-3, but he continues to chase an elusive 100th international hundred.

In fact, India are a team in crisis after seven back-to-back Test losses on foreign soil and Warner said the Aussies would aim to make it eight in a row.

“As Michael Clarke said the other day after the game (in Perth), celebrate your win but at the end of the day we want to try and beat the second team in the world four-nil,” Warner said.

“That’s a massive thing for us at the moment. Our goal is to become No.1 again by the next Ashes in 2013. If we can keep working towards that, our goals will be achieved,” he added.

Warner, who had a verbal spat with Indian pacer Ishant Sharma during the Perth Test, said some banter is expected as players from both sides are passionate about representing their nations.

“When you come to a series like Australia against India you’re playing for your countries. The competition on the field is exactly what it is. We are all about playing for Australia, they are all about playing for India,” Warner said.

“There is always be going to be a bit of banter on the field and then off the field you’re going to be mates. That’s the way it should be. You’ve got to be warriors on the field and saints off it,” he added.

Warner’s popularity has increased to such an extent that there were high level talks about whether a section of the SCG could be renamed ‘Warner’s Corner’ for the first T20 International between Australia and India on February 1.

According to The Daily Telegraph, “officials were so keen to cash in on Warner’s recent good form, they were prepared to allocate special seating for his legion of fans.”

“Not since Shane Warne has an Australian cricketer been able to pull punters through the turnstiles like Warner. Already a household name because of his Twenty20 ability, Warner’s profile soared even higher after his electric 180 in the Perth Test last week.

“Along with his love of on-field banter, infectious celebrations and knockabout nature, Warner has had no problems generating healthy headlines.

“Nearly 50,000 tickets have been sold for the T20, most of them on the back of Warner’s potential to smash sixes all over ANZ Stadium.”

Warner on his part said: “I see myself as just another player in the team and if I come off, I come off, and the people get excited about it,” Warner said.