Wary of aggravating the injury to his right ankle ahead of the World Cup, Sachin Tendulkar will miss India's fourth one-day international against New Zealand in Queenstown on Saturday and, possibly, the fifth in Wellington on January 8.
Tendulkar, who did not play in the first three one-dayers after he sprained his ankle during practice, is in the midst of his longest absence from the one-day circuit, having missed 10 one-day games on a trot. A hamstring injury kept him out of the seven match one-day series against the West Indies at home before the New Zealand tour.
"Batting is not a problem," said Tendulkar who is recovering from the injury. "But there is a question of running between the wickets... not only for your runs but for your partner's as well."
Team physio Andrew Leipus is cautious about Tendulkar's fitness and does not want him to take chances with the injury. Leipus made it clear that unless he is hundred percent sure, he would not give the go-ahead for Tendulkar's participation in the one-day matches.
"He's one hell of a player, but we've done without him for so long it doesn't really matter whether he plays or not," Indian coach John Wright said.
New Zealand have brought back all-rounders Andre Adams, Chris Harris, who had been injured, and Scott Styris after strong domestic performances into the side.
