Count me in: Sachin

Tendulkar has announced himself fit for the Pakistan series but worries continue over the niggling injuries to medium pacers Irfan Pathan and Laxmipathy Balaji.

Pathan, making a comeback here after sustaining a groin injury in the Challenger Trophy, went through a number of workouts today. ‘‘I am fit,’’ he told this reporter before leaving the stadium. ‘‘I feel good. There are a few things I need to work out with John but that has nothing to do with my injury.’’

Balaji — out of international action since the Champions Trophy last year with a pelvic injury — had a strenuous session at the nets. A fiery spell in the Challenger Trophy helped the bowler make up some lost ground and the inviting green top at the Visakha Stadium in Hyderabad will further boost his confidence.

Gloster is expected to make a full fitness review on Tuesday. ‘‘I have still not spoken to John (Wright). I need to speak to him and get to know the current status,’’ he said. But he did seem impressed by the improvements made by the players. ‘‘They (bowlers) have been in good shape. Pathan, particularly, has always been very fit. Injuries do keep taking place at this level.’’

Later, Indian vice-captain Rahul Dravid sought to clear the air over fitness worries: ‘‘None of the players have any fitness worries. Things have worked out well and we are all looking forward to making full use of this match.’’

PITCH PERFECT

After several recent disaster pitches, the 22 yards at the Visakha Stadium — staging its first first-class match tomorrow — here is a green-top dream. And came in for much praise from the two rival captains.

‘‘The track looks very exciting’’ said Sachin. ‘‘The pitch is very lively. It looks good considering the fact that it is a very new one. It is now for the players to make optimum use of it,’’ said his counterpart Rahul Dravid. With India’s top bowlers (Agarkar, Zaheer and Pathan) in the lineup, the Indian selectors couldn’t have asked for a better stage for them to show their stuff. Gopal Rao, the chief curator, has been continuously monitoring the track. ‘‘This is exactly the way we (Hyderabad Cricket Association) had planned it. Such tracks give ample opportunity to both bowlers and batsmen and so raises the game.’’ The outfield has, in fact, been so well watered that one could see dragonflies all over. ‘‘Once the outfield dries up, the air will also clear up,’’ Rao added.