Tendulkar virtually out of first Test

Sachin Tendulkar was virtually ruled out of the first Test against Australia starting in Bangalore on Wednesday.

Tendulkar, who arrived in Bangalore on Monday morning, had a session with team physiotherapist Andrew Leipus, who declared later that the batting genius is "very doubtful".

"He is very doubtful for the first Test," Leipus told reporters.

Tendulkar was named in the 15-member Indian squad for the first two Tests on Friday, but BCCI secretary S K Nair said his featuring in the playing eleven will be subject to match fitness.

When captain Sourav Ganguly was asked whether he is hopeful of Tendulkar making it to the team, he said, "you, me and all of us are hopeful -- that's what I can say."