'Tendulkar's career could be extended'

The cricket careers of India's top batsmen -- like Sachin Tendulkar -- and bowlers could be extended by adopting a rotation policy which allows players to be picked according to the importance of any series, feels former India speedster B K Venkatesh Prasad.

"The rotation policy will definitely reduce the injury factor involving fast bowlers," said Prasad in Bangalore. "I feel batsmen should also be rotated depending on the importance of the series...we can see Sachin playing for a longer time."

Asked if Tendulkar is in the prime of his career, he said the master blaster has been playing well and has done a lot for the country and the team.

"I don't think it's right for anybody to question his (Tendulkar's) performance," he said. "Everybody goes through ups and downs. May be it (injury) just happened at this time of his career."

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"Unfortunately, he (Tendulkar) had to go through a surgery. That's bound to happen. He has been playing for close to two decades. That's one of the reasons I feel even the batsmen should be rotated according to the importance of the series."

Prasad, a coach with the Under-17 and Under-19 teams, welcomed the reported move of the BCCI to work out a contract system for the coaches.

He also stressed the need for India A and younger teams to undertake exposure trips abroad more often, especially to England, Australia and South Africa, which would contribute to India building a good bench strength.