Sachin to play next week

Sachin Tendulkar's long-awaited comeback from his tennis-elbow injury will come when he captains West Zone in their Duleep Trophy match against South Zone, which starts in Hyderabad on Tuesday (February 22), according to Kiran More, India's chairman of selectors.

More, who is also in charge of West Zone's selectors, told the Rediff website: "Sachin is not only playing, but will also be leading the side ... he feels fine."

Tendulkar has rested his elbow problem since the tour of Bangladesh - his last game was the final ODI of that tour, at Dhaka on December 27, when he opened and scored 47. But recently he has been practising at a ground near his home in Mumbai.

Irfan Pathan and Ajit Agarkar, who have also been injured recently, are also expected to play for West Zone next week.