Sachin Tendulkar on Thursday made an appearance at the Wankhede Stadium to interact with the India under-19 squad members, who are set to embark on a tour to New Zealand on Friday.
"He told the players that the wickets in New Zealand would be different from what they have experienced in India. He said they would be more helpful to the bowlers," said under-19 coach Lalchand Rajput, who had invited the master batsman to talk to the players.
"He also said that they need to work hard as this is a stepping stone for making it to the Indian team," Rajput added.
Tendulkar missed Mumbai's crucial and concluding Ranji Trophy league tie against Maharashtra, which is in progress in Nasik because of a Gluteal muscle injury.