Sachin Tendulkar is all set to make a return to competitive cricket after a gap of three and a half months following a wrist injury he sustained while batting during an Indian Premier League match on May 13, says a report in The Times Of India.
“Forced to undergo surgery in London for a damaged tendon in his left wrist, Tendulkar has now fully recovered and is shaping up for the upcoming Champions League T20 to be held in India from September 21 to October 6. It will also be the cricket legend's first taste of competitive cricket ahead of India's big Test tour of South Africa later in November, where he is expected to become the first player to reach the 200-Test landmark,” says the report.
Speaking to TOI about his fitness, Tendulkar said, "Yes, I had surgery done on my hand for the injury I sustained during the IPL match in May. I have already started batting at the nets since the last ten days and I am looking forward to the Champions League."
Meanwhile, former New Zealand all-rounder Chris Cairns said that Sachin Tendulkar should continue playing Test cricket for another year to groom Virat Kohli as a leader and other youngsters.
According to a report in Deccan Chronicle, Cairns said, "Tendulkar should keep going for another year. I don't know, but Kohli needs to get more experience in his company. Kohli is going to be a great player and next captain. Tendulkar's presence in the Indian side is important as there are not enough experienced players in the side, especially after the retirement of Rahul Dravid, Sourav Ganguly and VVS Laxman."
"When Tendulkar hangs his boots for good, it would be sad for the young Indian players including Cheteshwar Pujara and Kohli to miss his experience in the middle," the Kiwi added.
According to a report in DNA, Cairns said, "Even if Sachin is operating below his benchmark, he is still better than anybody else. Tendulkar has to be in the team out of respect and contributions he made in his long career, even though he has not been scoring lots of runs," Cairns said.
Cairns said the Indian Premier Laegue has done a lot of good to Indian players and in next five to 10 years the world will see India producing players of international quality. "There may be some criticising IPL but it has done good to Indian players. A lot of players have been interacting with international players, trainers and coaches, which has helped them improve their cricket. And they have been learning faster and in professional way which is good for the game," he said.
