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'I am mentally and physically fully fit,' asserts Sachin

Indian cricket captain Sachin Tendulkar this evening ended the suspense over his participation in the tri-series involving India, Australia and Sri Lanka by announcing that doctors had cleared him for the tours of Sri Lanka, beginning August 22, and Singapore, from September 2.

Addressing a crowded press conference, along with coach Anshuman Gaekwad, in the lobby of the hotel where the team was put up during the short preparatory camp in Madras which ended this afternoon, Tendulkar said his injury was not the same that had crippled him during the Test match against Pakistan.

"The doctors have diagnosed it as a minor stiffness. I was advised rest yesterday and today," he added.

Tendulkar said he went to the Chepauk stadium this evening and had a workout in the nets to ascertain his fitness. "It's nothing serious; just a coincidence that I was almost laid low for the second time in Chennai (Madras)," he observed.

"I am going to play all the games. I am mentally and physically fully fit," he asserted, when asked if he would take it easy in the first few matches of the tri-series.

"All players are affected by minor injuries, but unless an injury is serious there is no need to pull out. I have always tried to give the best for my country," he said.

Asked whether he would seek the services of a professional trainer, the master batsman suggested that the team could have a longer camp before the home series against New Zealand and perhaps hire a professional physical trainer like Andrew Kokinos whose contract ended after the World Cup. "I would say we surely need one," he said.

Tendulkar said he never expected any problems with his fitness before coming to the camp. He disclosed that he had been training in the two-month gap after the World Cup and also played badminton to stay fit.

Gaekwad said he was always sure Tendulkar would make the trip. "I had told you in the afternoon at the nets that I was positive about Sachin's fitness. At that time the medical reports were not yet ready to clear him," he explained.

Earlier this morning, gloom descended on the Indian team after reports surfaced that Tendulkar had suffered a recurrence of his back pain, which could rule him out of the tri-series.

Tendulkar's back problem started during the first Test against Pakistan in Madras in March. It kept him out of the triangular one-day series in India and Sharjah. After being treated in England, he returned to the team for the World Cup where he showed no signs of the injury.

The squad leaves for Sri Lanka at 0945 IST tomorrow.