Sachin for Feb 22 match comeback: Wright

Tendulkar is targeting the February 22-25 Duleep Trophy match to make his comeback following an injury lay-off, coach John Wright said.

Sachin Tendulkar is targeting the February 22-25 Duleep Trophy match at Meerut to make his return to competitive cricket following an injury lay-off, Indian coach John Wright said in Mumbai on Tuesday.

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"I spoke to him today and he sounded good, optimistic. He's just started exercising. (New physio) John Gloster is going to have a look at him tomorrow. Hopefully he's targeting the (Duleep) Trophy match on the 22nd between West and South Zones. We are optimistic," Wright told reporters.

"He had a few problems with his elbow in Bangladesh in December and was later advised rest. I am sure when it comes to the series (against Pakistan) he will be raring to go," he said adding, "We are keeping our fingers crossed."

Tendulakar, missed the Holland tri-series, the Natwest series, the ICC Champions Trophy and the first two home Tests against Australia in 2004 due to tennis elbow. He made his comeback in the third Test against the Aussies at Nagpur, played the fourth in Mumbai and the two-Test series against South Africa before touring Bangladesh.

Tendulkar had told reporters earlier he has not lifted the bat after December 27, the fifth and final ODI against Bangladesh.

On the groin injury scare to key pace man Irfan Pathan, which forced the Baroda youngster to drop out of the India seniors eleven yesterday and ruled him out of the N K P Salve Challenger series, Wright said it was nothing serious.