Their prayers have been answered © Getty Images Enlarge

Sachin Tendulkar has confirmed that he will be fit to play Australia in the Nagpur Test which starts on Tuesday. Tendulkar had another net session at the MIG Club in Bandra on Saturday morning, and came through it without any discomfort.

Andrew Leipus, the Indian team physio, was also present, and he told reporters, "You can breathe a sigh of relief. He [Tendulkar] is fit and will be on the plane to Nagpur and he will play in the Test." Tendulkar, who has been practising with a lighter bat for less than a week, said much the same thing to boost Indian prospects ahead of a match that they must win in order to set up a series-decider in Mumbai.

After a 20-minute net session that began with defensive pushed but went on to more aggressive batting, Tendulkar told reporters: "there is nothing to say." He then relented, and added, "Good news. I feel pretty confident and comfortable while batting."