Tendulkar cleared for tour return

By Ayanjit Sen
BBC News, Delhi

Tendulkar said the injury was the most challenging of his career

Sachin Tendulkar has been passed fit to play for India for the first time since March, on the tour to Sri Lanka.

The 33-year-old spent time with team physio John Gloster but did not need a formal fitness test.

"According to Gloster's report, Sachin is fit to play," cricket board secretary Niranjan Shah told the BBC.

Tendulkar has not played for India since undergoing shoulder surgery but was in prolific form while playing charity cricket in England.

He hit three centuries and also appeared for an International XI against Pakistan in a Twenty20 charity match at The Oval earlier this week, scoring 50 not out.

India's squad for Sri Lanka will be named on Wednesday.

They will be taking part in a triangular one-day tournament, also involving South Africa, which begins on 14 August.

It comes at the start of a busy winter for India, who will host the ICC Champions Trophy in October and November before undertaking a tour to South Africa.

After that they are due to take part in another tri-series against the West Indies and Sri Lanka before heading to the World Cup in the Caribbean.

Tendulkar is the highest scorer in the history of limited overs internationals with 14,146 runs, including 39 centuries and 72 fifties.

And his return is a major boost for the side following their recent 4-1 defeat in a one-day series in the West Indies.