Tendulkar’s fitness in doubt

Tiwary replaces Rohit Sharma in ODI series against England.

CHESTER-LE-STREET: India are sweating on the fitness of superstar batsman Sachin Tendulkar ahead of the second One-Day International (ODI) that takes place against England in Southampton tomorrow.

Tendulkar missed the first ODI, which was abandoned after India were on top, with a recurrence of an old toe injury that left him struggling to jog. The batsman will see a surgeon today to determine if he can take any further part in the series.

However, India batsman Rohit Sharma has been ruled out of the rest of the series after fracturing his index finger and Manoj Tiwary, who has played two ODIs, was named as his replacement.

England’s Graeme Swann missed the first match because of sickness but captain Alastair Cook was confident of his return for the  second ODI.

Meanwhile, India were left ruing a chance to win their first international on the tour as the first ODI was washed out. Praveen Kumar struck twice as England were reeling at 27 for two after Parthiv Patel led India to a competitive total of 274 before the weather spoilt India’s plans.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 5^th,  2011.