Tendulkar’s back sends chill down nation’s spine

TheMumbai batting maestro asserted that he was fit and would play from the very first match. “I am fit today, I will be fit tomorrow and I am not worried about what happens later or five years afterwards.” The assertive statement speaks for itself and shows that the decision was his own.

However, the coach and the board secretary from Mumbai took pains to explain that “there is really no worry at all and the doctors have cleared him after examining the medical reports.”

Sports medicine expert Dr Anant Joshi flew down from Mumbai in the evening and even after the 7 pm press meet, Tendulkar was reportedly taken to a multi-speciality private hospital for further treatment.

Unconfirmed reports suggested that Tendulkar was in touch with Dr Kennedy in London and had taken a decision only after his advice. The team management neither confirmed nor denied the reports. But Tendulkar claimed that he underwent a short training session at the MAC Stadium in the evening and took pains to explain that the injurywas not as serious as the one he suffered in April this year here.

Tendulkar, explaining his absence from the practice session, said: “I took a precaution. But I would like to play for the country and am keen on making the trip.”

He said he has his “own doctor” apart from team doctor Dr Chadha, both of whom cleared him for the tour. However, he did not name any of his personal doctors. Tendulkar, who suffered a recurring stiff back’ on Wednesday morning, remained indoors till Thursday afternoon, and the mood in the training camp here suggested that the injury could be serious enough to prevent him from flying to Sri Lanka on Friday morning.

Earlier this year, Tendulkar underwent treatment in London for back spasms prior to the World Cup which caused him to opt out of a few matches prior to the trip to England. He was said to have recovered fully after the treatment and some much-needed rest.

However, the injury seems to have recurred and put in jeopardy his chances of playing the tri-series tillhe “declared himself fit” soon after the “doctors’ clearance”.

Earlier in the day, Gaekwad, desperately trying to hide his feelings, said Tendulkar would be going to Sri Lanka along with the team and a press conference would be convened in the evening, only if the reports suggest otherwise. But he expressed optimism that the injury could be a momentary stiffness and “after all, he might be all right in the evening,” was how he put it.

Tendulkar himself was keen to make the trip according to Gaekwad. He underwent medical tests, including an MRI and a bone scan, at a private hospital in the City.

With three top players — former captain Md Azharuddin, wicket-keeper Nayan Mongia and Mumbai all-rounder Ajit Agarkar — already out, the news of the suspected injury to the leading light came as a powerful jolt to the team.Though the injuries provided a chance to southpaw Vinod Kambli, stumper MSK Prasad and Bengal paceman LR Shukla to make the team, the prospects of Tendulkar missing out owing to injuryagain is bound to demoralise the team.