No security worries in India, asserts Tendulkar 29 Sep, 2008 © AFP
Top batsman Sachin Tendulkar on Monday played down security concerns for the Test series against Australia, saying cricketers will never be targeted in India. Fears were raised after 25 people were killed and more than 100 wounded as bombs went off across New Delhi in recent weeks. "I don't think it bothers us. We are confident nothing bad will happen," Tendulkar told reporters at a training camp ahead of the first Test starting here on October 9. New Delhi is the venue of the third Test from October 29 and security has been increased around the Australian team, who play a four-day practice match in southern Hyderabad from Thursday. Tendulkar declined to comment on Australia's security fears but insisted Indian players had nothing to worry about. "This is our homeland. In our homeland I don't think anyone can harm us," said the 35-year-old father of two, one of India's most famous public figures. "We should be free to move wherever and whenever we want." Cricket Australia (CA) have said they will go ahead with the tour after the Indian board asked local organisers to increase security at all four Test venues. "We are scheduled to get to Delhi in just under a month's time but the advice we're getting is that the things that need to be happening are happening," CA spokesman Peter Young said. "We're not aware of any advice that says we need to change our security processes." Australia cancelled a scheduled Test tour of Pakistan in March due to security concerns and were also one of the teams that forced the Champions Trophy there to be delayed by a year. | 
