Ganguly backs Tendulkar's withdrawal

Sourav Ganguly, the Indian captain, has said that Sachin Tendulkar's decision to withdraw from the Test series against Zimbabwe was a wise one.

"I think he's [Tendulkar] made the right decision if he's not fully fit," Ganguly was quoted as saying by Reuters. "I don't think he should risk it. It's his injury and he knows best. We'll miss him, obviously, but we want him fit for the bigger games."

Ganguly said that he hoped Tendulkar would be completely fit in time for tougher series that India were scheduled to play in the coming months. "We have a lot of cricket coming up against Sri Lanka, Pakistan, West Indies and England. That's going to be tough, so I think it's good that he's taking a break now and he can come back completely healed."

Greg Chappell, the India coach, also said that he was disappointed at Tendulkar's withdrawal but added that it was important for him to recover completely before making a return to the side,

"I am disappointed that Tendulkar wouldn't be seen on this tour, but it is important that he recovers completely and is fit for India's future engagements," Chappell was quoted as saying by PTI.

He was confident of India performing well in the remaining games of the tri-series. "We are looking for three good games. I am not panicking as it is an experienced line-up; at least most of them are for sure. They all have had good starts at one time or other and, hopefully, we can go back to India with the batting order ticking along nicely."