Tendulkar calls for media manager

Sachin Tendulkar has emphasised India's need for a media manager to prevent the players and officials from being misquoted by the media.

"I think one [permanent] manager is essential. He should be a person who understands the players' language and also the media's," he said in a press conference in Mumbai. "It is important that one person handles both. It makes a huge difference and avoids any misquoting by the media."

Tendulkar also said that there was no divide in the Indian team after the recent dispute between Sourav Ganguly, the captain, and Greg Chappell, the coach. He added that the players and coach were all "one family". "The team [members] and coach are together and would remain so though there can be different views. It is like in a family where the members are having different views. But by this, it cannot be said there is no unity in the team. Both the team and Chappell want to win. Only the paths they want to take may be different. There is a need to find out which [path] would take them to victory."

Tendulkar said that his forced break from international cricket because of a tennis elbow was both physically and mentally tough. "It has been tough [to sit out] but I couldn't play because of unavoidable circumstances. I have missed playing not only in the Super Series but also the tours to Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe. I have been watching it [Super Series] and I am enjoying watching the great players in action."

After a gap of nearly six months, Tendulkar is set to return to international cricket when he plays for India Seniors in the Challenger Series beginning on October 10 in Mohali. "I see it [Challenger Series] as the platform to judge how my elbow is responding," said Tendulkar. I don't know whether I will be able to play in the Duleep Trophy or not. I have to talk to Greg and find out about the 3-4 days' camp in Bangalore."