Tendulkar targets Duleep Trophy comeback

John Wright, who coached India to their historic series victory in Pakistan last year, believes that Sachin Tendulkar will be fit to take on Inzamam-ul-Haq's side when they arrive in India later this month. Tendulkar has struggled on and off with tennis elbow since August last year, and has played no part in the domestic season after returning home from the tour of Bangladesh in December.

Wright said that Tendulkar was targetting a Duleep Trophy game which starts on February 22 to make his long-awaited comeback, with the first Test against Pakistan starting on March 4. A Reuters report quoted Wright as saying: "I spoke to Sachin yesterday. He has started doing exercises and we are hoping he will get better quickly. We're very keen to have him."

Some reports last month had suggested that Tendulkar's participation in the marquee match-up was in doubt, but Wright suggested that the situation had improved considerably since.

Tendulkar said last month that he was unsure whether he would be ready for Pakistan but Wright said he was optimistic. The other injury cloud for the Indians has been the withdrawal of Irfan Pathan from the Challenger Trophy, but according to Wright, the decision not to play him and rest the side strain was a precautionary one.

Tendulkar's progress is being eagerly monitored across the border. New agencies quoted Saeed Anwar, one of the stalwarts of Pakistan's last tour to India in 1999, as saying: "I know every Pakistan supporter will be hoping that Sachin doesn't play while the Indians must be praying for his speedy recovery.

"I mean that's natural. A half-fit Sachin is also a threat to the opponents. He is such a big influence that his presence in the dressing room motivates his team and keeps the opponents under pressure."