Tendulkar Hopeful Of Return

Sachin Tendulkar remains hopeful of making his return to international cricket next month from the ongoing tennis elbow injury that has hampered him for so long.

Tendulkar returned to the nets for the first time on Tuesday since undergoing elbow surgery. But he admitted:

“I can’t say for sure whether I will be able to play against Zimbabwe, but I am recovering well and hope to take the field soon. I have started practising a little, and the next step is to increase the load.”

The Indian team starts a month-long tour of Zimbabwe next week, beginning with a triangular series also featuring New Zealand, before a two Test series starting in September.

Tendulkar has not been included for the one-dayers because of the injury but has been named in a 15-man Test squad subject to fitness.