Tendulkar advised not to play domestic cricket

Sachin Tendulkar is unlikely to play any domestic cricket for the rest of this season after being advised to rest his left elbow, according to Andrew Leipus, the Indian team physio. Leipus said he had consulted a leading elbow surgeon in Australia and had communicated his advice to Tendulkar.

"Tendulkar's elbow is still tender and he has been advised not to play any domestic cricket," Leipus said while speaking to reporters at a Ranji Trophy game at Mumbai. The injury had forced Tendulkar to miss a major part of the season - including three one-day tournaments and two Tests - and he now gets a chance to recover in time for the series against Pakistan in March.

Leipus added that he was set to meet Jagmohan Dalmiya next week in Kolkata to discuss his future role with the Indian team. He had earlier announced that the Bangladesh series would be his last as he had plans of pursuing his studies back in Australia. However, he was open to the ideal of contributing on a part-time basis.

He will remain in India throughout January and will visit the National Cricket Academy in Bangalore. He keen to note the progress made by Lakshmipathy Balaji on his route to recovery and said he was planning to meet him either in Chennai or Bangalore.

Leipus recommended that Irfan Pathan, Zaheer Khan and Ajit Agarkar required rest to avoid injuries. "Irfan has a groin problem. He developed it when he fell on the pitch during the second Test at Chittagong. If he plays now his injury could develop into something big." He said that Zaheer, who is currently playing for Baroda in the Ranji Trophy, has also been advised to undergo rest and rehabilitation until the international season resumes, while Agarkar had lost a lot of muscle mass all over his body and needed rest to prevent an injury.