Tendulkar set for early return from injury

Sachin Tendulkar, who did not travel with the Indian team for a one-day tournament against New Zealand and hosts Sri Lanka starting on Wednesday, is expected to return from injury ahead of schedule.

Tendulkar is suffering from a foot injury and was due to join the Indian squad just before their last round-robin match in the triangular series against New Zealand on August 2.

But Indian captain Saurav Ganguly told reporters after landing here on Monday that their leading batsman would be available for the July 28 match against Sri Lanka.

"Sachin will be back after our first three group matches," Ganguly said. "He's a great player and we're very happy we won't be without him for long."

India start their tri-series campaign on July 20 against New Zealand in a day/night match at Colombo's Premadasa Stadium.

Ganguly said he was confident his side, which won all four group games before losing to the West Indies in the final of a triangular series in Zimbabwe earlier this month, would still do well in the first part of the tournament.

"Sachin will be missed. But when a job has to be done, it has to. We hope to play hard and win despite his absence," Ganguly said.

India stay on after the one-day tournament for a three-test series against Sri Lanka starting on August 14 in Galle.

Mail Cricket Editor