The Hindu : Sport : Tendulkar set to take over Test reins again

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Saturday, Oct 27, 2007
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Sport

Tendulkar set to take over Test reins again

G. Viswanath

— Photo: SaNdeep Saxena

Sachin Tendulkar.

Ahmedabad: Sachin Tendulkar is all set to return as India’s Test captain. He will lead the team from the upcoming three-Test home series against Pakistan up to the three-Test home series against South Africa, next April. In between India is scheduled to play four Tests against Australia.

Tendulkar has led India in 25 Tests, won four and lost nine. He first succeeded Mohammad Azharuddin in 1996 after the tour of England and a few years later he was named captain for the Pepsi Cup tri-series despite his reluctance to take up the job.

He had informed the then BCCI president Raj Singh Dungarpur, secretary Jaywant Lele and the chairman of selectors Ajit Wadekar that he was not keen to lead India. Tendulkar finally relinquished captaincy after the two-Test series against South Africa in 2000.

Reliable sources told The Hindu that Tendulkar has accepted the offer made to him after Rahul Dravid opted out of captaincy after the England tour.

The selectors will officially announce Tendulkar as skipper for 10 Test matches at the end of the second ODI against Pakistan at Mohali.

Mahendra Singh Dhoni will be retained as captain for the one-dayers and will also be the vice-captain for the Test series. “We have decided to give him (Tendulkar) a long run,” said the source.

The selectors, though pleased with the way Dhoni has conducted himself on and off the field, feel that it would not be wise to burden him with the additional responsibility of leading the side in the high-pressure series against Pakistan, Australia and South Africa.

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