Sachin Tendulkar said that he does not favor neutral venues because of the lack of partisan crowds. The man who scored a century in his first outing for Mumbai in nearly two years in the Ranji Trophy semi-final against Saurashtra.

However, he even enjoyed playing at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai, which Tendulkar said that it was one of his favourite grounds in the world, he preferred a venue which was either side's home ground.

Tendulkar said, "The wicket should be monitored, that is important." "But it's fun to have the home crowd supporting you. When you are playing away from home, the crowd is against you. You get that intensity and the atmosphere inside the stadium is different. You learn a lot - sometimes the crowd is behind you, and when you are away from home, the crowd is against you. You are always learning something."

Till March there are no international matches scheduled for India when they tour New Zealand. Tendulkar further told that he decided to play the Ranji semi-final to get some batting practice.

He said, "Making a hundred in this game is something I was hoping to do, and I am glad it worked out."

Tendulkar hit nine fours and five sixes in his 160-ball 122 before retiring ill.