Don`t put pressure on Kohli: Sachin Tendulkar

Mumbai: Virat Kohli is being hailed as one of cricket's finest upcoming batsmen and senior India player Sachin Tendulkar agrees but he does not want the youngster to be put under too much pressure just at the beginning of what seems to be a promising career.

"He is a very good player. He is a brilliant player. He has done well but all I can say is don't put pressure on him. Let him play," said Tendulkar. Kohli proved his batting credentials with two dominant performances. He led India's successful run chase in Australia, surpassing the target of 321 inside 37 overs with a blistering 86-ball 133 and again on Sunday, when India produced their highest-ever run chase to eclipse a daunting 330-run victory target against Pakistan with the middle-order batsman again at the forefront with a magnificent 183. Tendulkar, who returned here from Dhaka today after India's exit from the Asia Cup, scored his much-awaited 100th ton during the tournament and said it was not easy for him to achieve the milestone despite scoring 99 centuries. "The pressure is off. It was a difficult phase and all of us had to wait for it for a long time. But it has made everyone realise, including me, that even after scoring 99 hundreds, it is not easy to score another one," said Sachin. Tendulkar who would be turning 39 on April 24. Tendulkar's international season has ended with the Asia Cup campaign as he's not part of the squad led by Mahendra Singh Dhoni which will engage South Africa in a one-off T20 International in Johannesburg on May 30. "Looking forward to next (international) season. This season is over," said Tendulkar who would be leading Mumbai Indians in the Indian Premier League T20 competition commencing on April 4 in Chennai. PTI