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Tendulkar to miss tri-series

Sachin Tendulkar could miss a couple of matches of the forthcoming one-day triangular series against Sri Lanka and Pakistan starting from March 19 if advised by a British specialist to rest his ailing back, the BCCI announced today.

Tendulkar left yesterday for London where he will be examined for a few days by a backbone specialist who has treated international sportsmen successfully. Tendulkar felt a tight grip on his lower back in the very first Test against Pakistan a month ago in Chennai. He played with a supporter later. He took treatment in Bombay while his father, Ramesh Tendulkar, was also admitted to the intensive care unit of Jaslok Hospital for chest pain.

Subsequently he tried to play certain shots in the nets here and felt some bone grating, according to an official from the Mumbai Cricket Association.

He then informed BCCI president Raj Singh Dungarpur who immediately made arrangements for a check-up abroad and also sanctioned a big amount towards his medical fees. Raj Singh also hinted that if the premier batsman of the Indian team needed rest than it will be given.

The primary concern is to get him fit for the World Cup and if that requires his omission from the triangular series, then the selectors will have to do without him, Dungarpur was reported as saying.

The chairman of the selection committee Ajit Wadekar was initially in the dark about this development but has been informed subsequently. The selectors meet in Bombay on Monday March 15 to select the team and captain for the tri-series.

Tendulkar has been accompanied by his doctor wife, Anjali. The doctors who checked him at Jaslok informed him that his back tightens only when he plays certain shots and also suffers certain jolts which in some cases may later develop into back spasms if not correctly diagonised. The treatment in London may take a fortnight, they added.

In that case India will have to look for an attacking opener and since Sadagopan Ramesh may not not fill the bill, Devang Gandhi, who should have played in the final of the Asian Test Championship in Dhaka if India had made the grade, could be a better bet.

UNI