Indian news round-up

The Press Trust of India reports that Indian batting maestro Sachin Tendulkar is unlikely to tour Sri Lanka for the three-Test series that begins on August 14. Suffering from an injury to his toe, Tendulkar missed the recently concluded Coca-Cola Cup in Sri Lanka. The report goes on to quote board sources as having said, "The hairline fracture to his right toe is healing very slowly and with the second bone scan scheduled on August ten it is unlikely that he will take part in the Test series starting on August 14." On a cautious note, the report goes on to quote a board member as having said, "However, we will get a clear picture only after the bone scan is done and if he is ruled out of the series then he might attend the BCCI's Working Committee meeting at Baroda on August 11."

Sports medicine expert Dr Anant Joshi, who is treating Tendulkar, said it was difficult for him to say anything now and added that he would like to comment about the progress shown only after the second bone scan. Tendulkar had sustained the injury during the triangular series in Zimbabwe in the last league match against the West Indies on July four and missed the recently concluded Triangular series in Sri Lanka.

Veteran Mumbai mediumpacer Paras Mhambrey will lead the Mumbai team in the All India MRF Buchi Babu invitation cricket tournament to be held in Chennai from August 12-30. As his deputy, Mhambrey has long time statemate and left arm spinner Nilesh Kulkarni. Dropped from the Indian senior team for the Test series in Sri Lanka, Ajit Agarkar will strengthen the Mumbai squad. Sahil Kukreja and leggie Bhavin Thakkar, two talented youngsters have also been named in the 15 man squad.

The squad: Paras Mhambrey (capt), Nilesh Kulkarni (vice-capt), Ajit Agarkar, Vinayak Mane, Paul Valthaty, Sahil Kukreja, Abhijit Shetye (wicketkeeper), Saket Adhikari, Kunal More, Bhavin Thakkar, Aziz Shaikh, Rajesh Pawar, Swapnil Hazare, Sachin Sawant and Sushant Manjrekar.