Sachin Tendulkar, who sprained his ankle during nets on Tuesday, is struggling to be fit for the second one-day international against New Zealand at McLean Park on Sunday.

"He has seen a specialist doctor and is better but physiotherapist Andrew Leipus wants to be absolutely sure on his ankle," manager N R Choudhary said, after the team arrived in this quiet northern city of New Zealand on Friday.

Tendulkar is very eager to take part in the second game and play his part in team's resurgence but Leipus wants to take a conservative approach on his right ankle injury and does not want to rush in declaring him fit.

"We don't want a chronically twisted ankle and take a risk especially in view of the coming World Cup," Leipus said. "It's better to take a conservative approach at present."

India, after a 2-0 debacle in the Test series, are now 1-0 down in the seven-match one-day international series as well having lost to New Zealand by three wickets at Auckland on Thursday.

According to reports emanating from the Indian camp, the swelling on Tendulkar's right ankle has subsided and intensive treatment has begun but it is not healing as fast as was expected.

While the news on Tendulkar's fitness is keeping the Indian fans on tenterhooks, the report on the other three injured cricketers is encouraging.

Harbhajan Singh, who has a capsular sprain in his right middle finger, which has prevented him from gripping the ball, has been given an injection and should be fit for Sunday's game, according to Leipus.

Harbhajan, who made his mark in whatever overs he could manage on the green Test pitches besides batting spiritedly, had to miss yesterday's game because of the injury.

Bangar, who was fighting to get rid of injuries in his right index finger and left knee, has progressed well and according to Choudhary, will be up for selection after undergoing a bowling test.

Mohammad Kaif, who suffered a bruised foot by a yorker at nets before the first game, is also fit now, according to Choudhary.

Shiv Sunder Das, the diminutive opener from Orissa who did duty in the Test squad and whose departure to India was delayed to enable him to bolster the Indian batting in the first game, has now headed for home.

Rakesh Patel, the right-arm medium-pacer from Baroda, joined the ranks on Thursday and will be looking to impress the team management for a berth in the eleven in subsequent matches.

Meanwhile, McLean Park promised a more friendly wicket to the two teams and is expected to make life a bit easy for the batsmen.

"There is bounce but it's looking good," said match manager Blair Furlong this morning. "It's 80 per cent brown and 20 per cent green on top now but it will brown off a lot by the time the match begins."

The pitches on India's current tour to New Zealand have come in for criticism from all quarters with teams struggling to raise a total of 200 runs.