Game more important for me than Lara's record: Sachin

Bangalore, Sep 29 (UNI) Star batsman Sachin Tendulkar today said that he would rather concentrate on his game better, than go in pursuit of Brian Lara's record of highest runs in Test cricket.

The Mumbai veteran is just 76 runs short of overhauling the West Indian's highest test run aggregate of 11,953.

"The game is between India and Australia and this is not an individual game. I would rather focus on the play as I represent India and my duty is to see the team come out with good results.

Records would follow," he said.

He said in the coming four-test series between Australia and India was crucial and he wanted India to emerge superior. This called for determination and concentration and he would focus on this aspect first, he said.

On his fitness level, after recovering from an elbow injury he suffered during the previous Sri Lanka tour, he said he had fully recovered and since last three weeks he was feeling very good and ready for the tough series against Australia.

"This morning, on the first day of the six-day camp, I have been feeling fine and went through the fitness targeted exercises without any problem," he said.

On emerging brigade of young players who were ready to take over from the seniors, Sachin said "There are players who are really talented, but they haven't got proper exposure yet," he felt.

On the strategy of facing the mighty Australians, he said on the first day of the camp the players had not thought of the strategy for the series. This would be discussed in the due course of the camp, he said.

"No doubt that this series will be very hard and we need to put our best efforts," he said.

He refused to comment on former captain Saurav Ganguly's absence in the camp. The Kolkatan was the only senior player who was yet to turn up for the camp for the probables.

The squad for the four test series is yet to be named by the BCCI. It was expected to announce the team for the first two tests on October one when the newly appointed selection committee headed by Krishnamachari Srikkant meet in Mumbai.

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