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Waugh saw the strain on Tendulkar

Australian cricket captain Steve Waugh said on Monday he is unsurprised to learn that Sachin Tendulkar had decided to quit the Indian captaincy.

Waugh said he could see Tendulkar was feeling the strain as the Indians fell to defeat in all three Tests and seven out of eight one-day internationals against Australia recently.

"I don't think it's a surprise," Waugh said. "It's the best thing for him and India because he was under a lot of pressure and he didn't play his best cricket and I could see the strain on his face in the third Test in Sydney."

Waugh did not agree with Tendulkar's comment that he had accepted full "moral responsibility" for the losses in Australia despite again being India's stand out player.

"That's a bit much for one person to take that responsibility on his shoulders," Waugh said.

Tendulkar announced he would step down after the upcoming home series against South Africa, just weeks after arriving home from the dismal Australian tour.

Tendulkar, now aged 26, was first made captain of India three years ago but he handed the job to Mohammad Azharuddin before resuming the post after last year's World Cup. But his performances with the bat suffered as he tried to spark players boasting less talent.

Waugh said accomplished batsman Rahul Dravid and explosive hitter Ajay Jadeja were potential replacements to Tendulkar.