Jul 13, 2006, 18:38 GMT
New Delhi, July 13 (IANS) Batting maestro Sachin Tendulkar, recuperating from a shoulder injury, Thursday refused to state a categorical date for his comeback to the Indian cricket team - though he said he was feeling 'quite good'.
'I am feeling quite good, but cannot say now whether I will go or not. There is a fitness test to be done,' the 33-year-old said at a press conference.
In the city for a promotional event, he was replying to a question on whether he would be available for the one-day triangular series in Sri Lanka next month.
Tendulkar's injury came to light after the Test series against England ended in Mumbai March 21.
Initially, the Indian cricket board had said that he would miss competitive cricket for eight weeks, including the seven-match home one-day international series against England and the subsequent two one-dayers against Pakistan in Abu Dhabi.
But the maestro also missed the tour to the West Indies, comprising five one-day internationals and four Tests.
Now, his millions of fans are hoping that Tendulkar would return to the national team in the triangular series in Sri Lanka, also involving South Africa.
It will, however, depend on his fitness test, which is expected to be held in Mumbai. The date of the test is yet to be decided.
Earlier Thursday, board secretary Niranjan Shah said Tendulkar would have to undergo a fitness test - but could be picked for the squad before that.
'Yes, it is a possibility that he is selected subject to his passing a fitness test,' Shah told IANS on the telephone.
'Team physiotherapist John Gloster was in London, and was to arrive in Mumbai Thursday. He will take Sachin's fitness test and give his report to the board. The fitness can be done even on July 19.'
Tendulkar spent six weeks in England, recuperating and playing matches. It was in London that he was operated upon in late March. He returned to Mumbai Tuesday.
In England, he also played some charity matches for private club Lashings and scored four centuries against club-standard bowling attacks. It is, however, not known if he felt any pain in his shoulder during the matches.
© 2006 Indo-Asian News Service
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