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He considers Sachin Tendulkar the "Rockstar" of Indian cricket and Australia's new-found pace sensation Pat Cummins says he can't wait for a possible duel with the batting icon in the Test series next month.
The 18-year-old, who made a sensational Test debut by taking seven wickets to set up a thrilling series-levelling win for Australia against South Africa earlier this month, is now looking forward to bowl against Tendulkar.
The 38-year-old Tendulkar made his Test debut three-and-a-half years before Cummins was even born.
"He's one of the greats of all time, I've grown up watching him," Cummins said in an interview to The Sydney Morning Herald.
"For someone who is a bit of a pocket rocket, he's not too tall, even against the fastest bowlers he seems to stand up and lift another gear.
"To get a game, even here in Australia, would be unbelievable. To be versing the likes of Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid -- it's going to be a massive challenge. He's someone hopefully all the bowlers don't get too overawed versing him and I guess you've got to still imagine him like any other batsmen," he added.
India and Australia will square off in a much-anticipated Test series starting December 26. Cummins said he would not "waste time" chalking out a bowling strategy for Tendulkar as the Indian is "too good everywhere".
"It's more imagining the moment of playing people like him, it'd be a massive thrill," Cummins said.
"Sachin Tendulkar has got a massive following in India and is a rockstar over there. Someone like him, all the fame, it'd be on a whole new different level versing him," he added.
Cummins might be hot property at the next players' auction for the cash-rich Indian Premier League but the youngster does not want to think too far ahead.
"I haven't really thought about it at the moment, it's still a fair while away," Cummins said.
"You definitely don't want it to impact on any cricket back here. It will be a big compliment if they did (show interest) but I haven't heard anything about it yet so we'll see what happens," he added.