Sachin getting back to form: Chappell

BANGALORE—Master batsman Sachin Tendulkar, returning to cricket after a six-month layoff, is regaining form to play in the series against Sri Lanka and South Africa, Indian coach Greg Chappell said here Friday.
Chappell told reporters Tendulkar would be in good nick both physically and mentally for the upcoming one-dayers, as was evident from the way he batted and fielded at the three-day conditioning camp for the 15-member squad.
‘The camp was good for Sachin as far as his fitness is concerned. We are happy that he is back in action, which is a positive development for the team,’ Chappell said.
‘What he needs at the moment is to play some cricket and get more time in the middle, get more match fitness. But I see improvement (in him) each day. Through Mohali, I think it’s been very positive’.
On Tendulkar’s role in the team and his progress at the camp, Chappell said the batsman’s knowledge of the game, experience and ability to bounce back would inspire younger players.
‘He spent a lot of time with the boys here as in Mohali. His interaction with the newcomers during the camp has been mutually beneficial,’ Chappell said, hailing Tendulkar’s track record.
The coach, however, declined to comment on Sourav Ganguly’s return to the team after the first two games.
‘Not for the first two games against Sri Lanka, at least,’ Chappell said when asked for his comments on the southpaw’s quick-fire century for East Zone in the Duleep Trophy tie against North Zone at Rajkot Friday.
Since the former skipper was down with tennis elbow injury at the time of selecting the team for the first two one-dayers against Sri Lanka, Ganguly was left out of the 15-member squad last week.
‘You have to ask the Board of Control for Cricket in India and the selectors; that’s not something I can answer. I do not want to comment on selection issues,’ Chappell said.—Agencies