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Richie Richardson asks Team India to get ready for some tough cricket

The entire nation is awaiting Sachin Tendulkar's upcoming farewell series, wishing that the master batsman will create a buzz at the crease. But the team's cricket manager Richie Richardson has laid forth a challenge to the Indian cricket team.

The former West Indies captain had a word of caution for the hosts stating that the Caribbeans are here to "play hard cricket".

"We're happy to be here and celebrate Sachin Tendulkar's farewell series but we're here to play hard cricket. We would be very, very competitive," Richardson said during an informal interaction.

Heaping praise on Tendulkar, Richarson said: "He's second to none. The appetite he has shown for scoring runs is really remarkable. His desire and dedication to play the game... It's difficult to put it in words."

Just like a lot of other cricketers, Richardson termed Tendulkar's humility as his most endearing quality.

'India are in good form but Test cricket is a different ball game altogether'

"Normally, if a person becomes famous, his attitude changes but Tendulkar has remained humble. This is the greatest quality in him. People will always love him."

Although Indian batsmen have been in red hot form during the just-concluded ODI series against Australia, the veteran of 86 Tests and 224 ODIs said that it won't be very easy for Virat Kohli and Co.

"I know that they are in good form but Test cricket is a different ball game altogether."

Richardson however said India would not be under any kind of pressure despite the hype around the two-Test matches.

"The atmosphere is really amazing but having said that once a player steps on the grass, we're all at the same level. So, I don't think they were under any kind of pressure."

Asked about the pitch, Richardson said, "It looks firm to me but it would turn during the last couple of days like a typical Indian wicket."