NEW DELHI, Jan 6: India’s Sachin Tendulkar is opposed to the use of neutral venues for the knockout stages of the Ranji Trophy after a rare appearance in the tournament by the leading batsman drew a very small crowd.

“I’m not in favour of neutral venues,” Tendulkar was quoted as saying by the Indian media. “I feel either team should play at its home ground.

“As for the wicket, it should be monitored, which would be the case if a team is playing on its home ground.

“It is fun to have crowd supporting you at your home ground, and against you in away games. That adds to the intensity, people rooting for you, the atmosphere is just different.”—Reuters