Tendulkar could miss Aussie Tests

Tendulkar has scored more than 11,800 runs in 150 Tests

India batting star Sachin Tendulkar could miss at least part of the forthcoming Test series against Australia because of an elbow injury.

The 35-year-old will miss a domestic game next week after suffering the injury on a recent tour to Sri Lanka.

"He is not playing the Irani Trophy and has been advised a week of rehabilitation," said Board of Control spokesman Ratnakar Shetty.

The four-match series against Australia starts in Bangalore on 9 October.

And although Tendulkar was well below his best in Sri Lanka, where he managed a highest score of only 31 in three Tests, his absence would be a major blow to India's chances of avenging their 2-1 home defeat by Australia.

He holds the record for the most centuries in Tests, with 39 in 150 matches, and is only 77 short of beating Brian Lara's record for the most runs in Test cricket, the former West Indies captain having retired with a total of 11,953.

Tendulkar has had a number of injury problems in recent years and missed the first two matches against Australia four years ago because he was suffering from tennis elbow.

He underwent corrective surgery on his left elbow in May 2005, but jarred the joint while attempting to take a catch during the third Test against Sri Lanka in August.

Although he was ruled out of the one-day series which followed, team officials insisted the injury would only put him out of action for two to three weeks.

His recovery has proved slower than expected and merely adds to the dilemma facing India's selectors as they consider their batting line-up to face Australia.

With Tendulkar, former captains Rahul Dravid and Sourav Ganguly, and VVS Laxman all in their mid-30s, there have been calls for the introduction of some younger talent.

But with Australia having named two uncapped spin bowlers, Bryce McGain and Jason Krejza, in their squad for the tour, the expectation was that India would name their strongest possible top six in order to try and capitalise on that potential weakness.

Speaking on Thursday, Tendulkar said Tests against Australia were now even bigger than those against regional rivals Pakistan for the Indian team.

"All the series we have played in the recent past, from 2001, have all been close ones," he commented.

"As we all know, (Australia) is the number one team in the world. They will come here with serious force. They still have a lot of experienced players in the team. It is not that it is a completely transformed side with no senior players in the team."