Tendulkar in London to consult specialist

Sachin Tendulkar missed Rahul Dravid's felicitation on Tuesday evening because he had a prior appointment with a specialist doctor in London, the BCCI has revealed. Ratnakar Shetty, the BCCI's chief-administrative officer, said Tendulkar had informed the board of his unavailability for the function but Shetty did not know what Tendulkar was seeking medical attention for.

Shetty said Tendulkar had been listed as one of the speakers at the board function along with Anil Kumble, Sourav Ganguly, VVS Laxman and MS Dhoni, but he could not cancel the doctor's appointment. "He called both the BCCI president and secretary to inform them that he had set up an appointment about two months ago and had to be in London yesterday [Tuesday]," Shetty told ESPNcricinfo.

According to the Hindustan Times, Tendulkar is going to London to have the big toe on his right foot looked at. Last year Tendulkar had been ruled out of the ODI series in England due to an inflammation of the same toe. Tendulkar had consulted a specialist in London and had been advised six weeks' rest, which also ruled him out of Mumbai Indians' Champions League T20 campaign.

Mumbai Indians have released a statement saying Tendulkar will be back from London to join Mumbai Indians' preparatory camp on March 31, and will be available for the whole of the fifth season of the IPL.