The Hindu : Sport : Tendulkar shows no signs of discomfort

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, May 18, 2006

Sport

Sport

Tendulkar shows no signs of discomfort

Special Correspondent

Chennai: Sachin Tendulkar appeared well on course towards attaining complete fitness from a right shoulder injury ahead of the Test series in the Caribbean. The master batsman stroked confidently at the nets and was then involved in extensive catching practice at the MRF Pace Foundation on Wednesday evening.

Tendulkar pouched both the skiers and the balls directed hard at him, by Pace Foundation head coach T.A. Sekar, with confidence. He threw the ball using his left hand but there were a couple of `soft' throws from his right hand as well. With his return to fitness being closely monitored by former Indian team physio Andrew Leipus and trainer Ramji Srinivasan, Tendulkar did not seem keen on risking his shoulder which is clearly on the mend.

Earlier, he had two sessions of 30 and 15 minutes at the nets. He handled both the pacemen and the spinners without any sign of physical discomfort. He drove firmly in front of the wicket, cut, flicked and swept the bowlers.

Seeking to settle into a batting rhythm, he defended the good balls with a broad blade, judiciously `left' deliveries outside his off-stump, and when the opportunity arose, even jumped down the track.

Said India under-19 paceman Yo Mahesh, "He is my childhood hero and bowling at him is a dream come true."

Tendulkar also underwent two fitness-training sessions of 90 minutes (at the hotel) and an hour (at the pace foundation gym).

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