Tendulkar to miss tri-nation series

Faisal Shariff

A hairline fracture of the sesamoid bone, below the right big toe, has ruled Sachin Tendulkar out of the limited-overs triangular series in Sri Lanka, involving the hosts and New Zealand.

Tendulkar had earlier indicated he would play in the last league match of the tournament and the final, should India make it.

Addressing a press conference at his suburban residence in Bandra, Bombay, Tendulkar stated that a bone scan at the Hinduja hospital diagnosed the hot spot, and a CT scan later confirmed the same at four on Wednesday afternoon.

"We were playing the match against the West Indies on the fourth of July when I first felt uncomfortable and informed Andrew Leipus, the team physio, about it. We went to the hospital but the X-ray failed to show up anything. We consulted a specialist, but yet could not confirm any fracture. Hence, the consultant advised me to take rest before the final," informed Tendulkar.

Despite the pain, the master batsman went on to score a hundred in the game, his 29th in ODIs.

"I remember telling Rahul (Dravid) that I felt pain under my toe. After I heard a 'click' in my foot, there was a lot of pain in my toe. Even during the final there was pain. When I came back it had increased.

"After the match I waited for the pain to subside by packing it with ice but it did not help. Dr Anant Joshi was also unable to spot the fracture, so he advised me to go in for a bone scan," he said.

The injury puts Tendulkar out of action for another 2-3 weeks, thus putting his chances of making it to Sri Lanka for the Test series also in doubt.

When questioned about the same, he answered, "Just wait and see."

He further added that he's been trying to get in touch with the Indian team in Sri Lanka to inform Leipus about the state of his injury. He said he hasn't been able to get through to the board officials also.

Refusing to say whether the injury it is related to repeated stress or excessive cricket, Tendulkar said the main reason for the press conference was to avoid any confusion and let everyone know what is happening.

Though his foot will not require a cast, he has been advised active rest.

"Besides running, I can walk around and drive normally. I feel pain only if the portion of the foot is stretched. I will continue with my weight training," he informed.

Tendulkar ended with a word of encouragement to his team mates. "My message to the team in Sri Lanka would be to go ahead and perform well, and I am pretty confident that it will be a great tour. Missing cricket is always disappointing, but looking at it from the other aspect, yes, I will get some time at home with my wife and family."