Injured Tendulkar to miss major part of tri-series

By Our Special Correspondent

MUMBAI, JULY 9. India's top notch batsman Sachin Tendulkar had to bear a foot injury while playing the Coca Cola tri-series final against West Indies last Saturday in Harare. It remained a secret until India's captain let the cat out of the bag.

Sourav Ganguly told the national selectors on Monday afternoon that his team will have to go through almost the entire league stage of the tri-series in Sri Lanka without his favourite partner, Tendulkar with whom he has forged a trailblazing opening combination.

It was a news Ganguly did not make public even after the conclusion of the Coca Cola Tri-series in Harare. He let manager Chetan Chauhan throw a line or two for the benefit of the waiting reporters on Sunday night at a city hotel, but Chauhan did not utter a word about the injury to Tendulkar.

Even the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) Hon. Secretary, Mr. Jaywant Lele did not deem it fit to highlight first the foot injury to Tendulkar. He read the names of the 15 players picked for the tri-series in Sri Lanka and then said: ``Tendulkar is unfit. He has been advised two or three weeks complete rest. He will join the team one match before the final of the tri-series. He will leave exactly on August 1 for the match on August 2. Three or four players will be picked for the Test series. So Tendulkar will go with them.'' Tendulkar won three `Man of the Match' awards in the lead matches to the final. He did not make a run in the final. His grim face while receiving the `Player of the series' award expressed his gloomy state of mind and disappointment many shared with him.

India and Ganguly - who returned to some kind of form in the last three matches to prevent a `lean patch becoming a lean marathon' - must accept the turn of events. Tendulkar's replacement for the tri-series is Amay Khurasiya.

Customarily, the selectors are known to make surprise selections. But on Monday, Ganguly took that role upon himself. He chose his new partner in Malwa region's best batsman. A `Kojak-like' image is the last and a curious reminder about the dashing batsman from Madhya Pradesh.

Khurasiya, 29, appeared last for India in a tri-series in Singapore. He made 5 against Zimbabwe and 3 against West Indies. He has been recalled after 20 months. He made 57 in his debut match against Sri Lanka (March 1999) and since, in 10 matches made 137 runs for an average of 15.22. Khurasiya must be happy to know that he had a friend in the Indian captain who remembered him on Monday; a far cry from the World Cup days in England when rumour mills went on an overdrive spilling tales of how he was made to feel `not wanted' in the team.

Mr. Lele was not able to clarify the exact nature of the `foot injury' to Tendulkar. ``I am told he cannot even wear shoes'' said Mr. Lele. But the Chairman of Selectors, Mr. Chandu Borde, who joined his colleagues some two hours late because the train was delayed following torrential rains, put together a few points to rationalise Khurasiya's selection after 20 months. ``He has been among runs in recent times. He opened the innings for Madhya Pradesh and Central Zone and did well. He is an excellent striker. He looks like a batsman who can destroy the bowlers.''

Another batsman who has been recalled is Yuveraj Singh. Ganguly was not adamant and did not insist on his inclusion this time. If the selectors had their way Dinesh Mongia would have been retained in the squad. But Mr. Borde and another selector did not want to disappoint Ganguly. Should Khurasiya fail, Yuveraj may be even asked to open the innings.

Mr. Borde spelt out his own reasons for Yuveraj's recall. ``We are lacking in fielding. The inclusion of Reetinder Singh Sodhi has had a desired result. He provided pep to the Indian fielding. If we have one more person like Yuveraj, it will help us. Moreover Yuveraj is also a good striker. He is a left hander, which we thought will be useful and hence we are giving him another opportunity. He was given a chance in the past. I am told he was training hard at the NCA and striking the ball well. It was between him and Dinesh Mongia. We had a lengthy discussion before picking Yuveraj.''

The committee retained almost the entire seam attack, leaving out only Railways' Harvinder Singh. The choice was between Debasish Mohanty and Harvinder, but the Orissa seamer got the nod. The argument was that the West Indies batsmen hit out at all the seamers (in the final) and Mohanty should not be singled out and made the scapegoat. Harvinder's place was taken by Delhi's left arm spinner, Rahul Sanghvi. ``Sunil Joshi figured in the discussion. Also Murali Kartik, but he is not fully fit,'' said Mr. Borde.

It appears Ajit Agarkar was picked because of his record in one- day internationals (he has taken 27 wickets in 11 matches at 17.70 against Sri Lanka) and a good word from the Indian captain. But there is no guarantee of his inclusion for the three Test series.

He will be told he has to perform in the tri-series to hold his place. Mr. Borde said Venkatesh Prasad, who was discussed in the previous selection committee meeting, was not discussed in Monday's meeting.

The chairman who praised Sameer Dighe and Ashish Nehra's performances, expressed disappointment on India failing to win the Test series and the final of the tri-series. ``We are not delivering the goods in the final.

Even the captain is a bit worried about it. We have been in about four or five finals in the recent past, but somehow we have not been able to win.'' Mr. Lele said coach John Wright left for London from Harare and will join the team on July 15. ``The Chairman and myself spoke to him,'' said Mr. Lele.

A growth underneath right foot seems to be troubling Sachin Tendulkar. According to a source he took precautions while fielding and batting in the tri-series final against West Indies. He doesn't want to aggravate his misery applying pressure on that part.

It is against Sri Lanka that Tendulkar has scored maximum runs (1760 in 45 matches with 6 centuries and nine half centuries) in one-day internationals. He has scored 1279 in 31 matches against New Zealand with three centuries and seven half centuries. Tendulkar will play the last league match on August 2 against Sri Lanka at the Singhalese Sports Club.

The team (for the tri-series): Sourav Ganguly (Captain), Amay Khurasiya, Venkatsai Laxman, Rahul Dravid, Hemang Badani, Yuveraj Singh, Reetinder Singh Sodhi, Virender Sehwag, Sameer Dighe, Ajit Agarkar, Zaheer Khan, Ashish Nehra, Debasish Mohanty, Rahul Sanghvi, Harbhajan Singh: Coach John Wright; Physio: Andrew Leipus; Manager: Mr. Anant Mate (Maharashtra Cricket Association).

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