'I'm fit to play' - Tendulkar

Sachin Tendulkar has announced that he is ready to participate in Pakistan's upcoming tour of India, laying to rest doubts about his fitness. In recent years, Tendulkar has been afflicted by elbow, back and foot injuries, prompting speculation on his future within the game. He has played down the questions, as he did yesterday at a press conference in Hyderabad.

"I have had some rest and have followed the doctor's advice. If I was not comfortable playing then I would not have been here," Tendulkar said to the Times of India. "I am ready for Pakistan, but if anything happens while playing, then no-one can help it," he said about the possibility of injury. "Nobody knows what is going to happen on the field, so we will have to wait and see."

Tendulkar's approach to the series involved not going by past results - neither India's success in Pakistan, nor Pakistan's failure in Australia. "We should not look at how Pakistan fared in Australia nor be overconfident following our one-day and Test wins in Pakistan. There obviously will be a lot of pressure. But playing under pressure keeps one on the toes and is good."

There was time for an aside. Asked about Shoaib Akhtar's non-participation, he retorted: "He does not play for us so it does not matter."