Watch out for 'really hungry' Sachin, warns Ravi Shastri

"He'll be hungry, he'll be really hungry. If Australia allow him to score in the first two Test matches this will be a very big series for Tendulkar," Shastri was quoted as saying in the Sydney Morning Herald.

Sachin Tendulkar and Ravi Shastri

"He will come out a little nervous, there will be nerves in the first couple of innings but if he gets a 50, 60 or 70 in one of the first two innings then this could be a big series for him."

Tendulkar has tormented Australia in every Test series he has played against them at home save the 2004-05 series (he played two of the four Tests) which coincided with his tennis elbow injury.

The report said that Shastri spoke to Tendulkar after India's series defeat to England last year and "detected a renewed sense of determination" from the master batsman who will turn 40 this April.

"England bowled extremely well but I get the feeling the break he's had for a couple of months, he's gone back to the kind of preparation he's used to. I want him to be positive and not get into a defending kind of mode. He has to play his natural game, if he does that we're in for some entertainment," Shastri said.u00a0