Former Indian skipper Ajit Wadekar said in Bhopal on Monday that the centre should lift the ban imposed on playing cricket with Pakistan. "It is not good to politicise sports as it affects the game," Wadekar told newspersons. "Cricket can bring the two countries closer," he added.

On the Aussies' tour, the former coach said the present Indian team was strong and it should not lose an opportunity to win the series.

"The Indian batting trio - Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly and Rahul Dravid - should fetch as many runs as they can since it would be vital for the home team's victory," Wadekar added.

He said it would not be easy for the Aussies to play on the Indian pitches "as they are not fast tracks but more favourable for the slow and spin deliveries."

© PTI