Tendulkar unlikely to play
in final ODI

India's leading batsman Sachin Tendulkar has only a 50-50 chance of playing in the fifth one-day international against the West Indies, the team's physiotherapist said on Saturday.

The West Indies beat India by seven wickets in the 29-year-old's absence on Saturday to turn Sunday's fifth and final match into a decider with the series tied at 1-1 following a win apiece and two washed out games in Jamaica.

"Sachin has bursitis," Andrew Leipus said. "It's a condition that creates friction between the tendons. We are treating him, but we'll only be able to determine his fitness in the morning."

Tendulkar had complained of pain in his shoulder after India's seven-wicket one-day win in Barbados on Wednesday, but the team management had been hoping he would be fit for Saturday's match at the Queen's Park Oval.

"It's nothing serious, just one of those things," Leipus said. "We were hoping he would be fit today. But it obviously did not heal enough for him to take the field. There's a 50-50 chance that he will play tomorrow."

India will be keen to see the batsman turn out as Tendulkar holds the world record for both runs scored and centuries in one-day cricket.

Vangipurappu Laxman played in his place on Saturday, but managed to score just two runs as India were bowled out for 123 in a match reduced to 25-overs-a-side due to rain.

Tendulkar's presence in the team would be a big asset to the team on Sunday.

"We are treating him right now," Leipus said. "Let's hope for the best."

Mail Cricket Editor