Sachin pulls out of Zimbabwe series

Maharashtra opener Dheeraj Jadhav would replace him for the Test series.

Sachin Tendulkar on Wednesday opted out of the forthcoming two-Test series against hosts Zimbabwe as "he does not feel confident and strong enough yet to return to the rigours of Test cricket batting," according to Indian team physiotherapist John Gloster.

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The five national selectors had a telephonic conference among themselves and with Indian coach Greg Chappell in Zimbabwe. They decided that Maharashtra opener Dheeraj Jadhav would replace Tendulkar for the Test series commencing on September 13, Indian Cricket Board Secretary SK Nair announced from Thiruvananthapuram.

Tendulkar, who underwent a surgery in London in May-end after being constantly troubled by tennis elbow, had been examined by Gloster before the national team's departure to Zimbabwe when the latter had a net session at the MIG club in suburban Bandra.

In his report to Nair from Zimbabwe, Gloster said the master batsman's rehabilitation plans were going on well.

"Tendulkar has returned to light net session, but he doesn't feel confident and strong enough yet to return to the rigours of Test cricket batting," Gloster said in his report to the board.

The physio said "the strength component of his rehabilitation plan has progressed positively to this point but is not yet sufficient to progress to the next level of competitive play. We will continue to constantly review his recovery and progress."