The Guessing Game - Will he or will he not play?

[Zainub]

Paul Grinnil from BBC Sport wonder's Who's fooling Who? "The reason for India's indifferent form in recent weeks can, according to some, be summed up in two words - Sachin Tendulkar. Ever since he was ordered to rest a sore left elbow, the team have failed to reproduce the panache which carried them to Test and one-day series wins in Pakistan earlier this year. Imagine therefore the relief felt by millions of cricket-mad Indian supporters when Tendulkar's name was announced in the squad for next week's crucial Test series opener against Australia in Bangalore. But is Tendulkar fit enough to make the final XI next Wednesday? Has he a realistic chance of playing, or is his inclusion in the squad merely a smokescreen to try and give the rest of the team and supporters a psychological lift and keep Australia guessing?"

So, what do you reckon? Will he or will he not play?

Read full article at http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/cricket/3707124.stm

[kumar]

The latest news that Sachin is in the Indian squad for the first test against the Aussies has come like a breath of fresh air for the Indian public & to the world as a whole.The announcement itself psychologically lifts the Indian team as his absence has already given the Indian team a bad start for the 2004 cricket season.Actually speaking, its a real surprise to see that he will be fit for the first test itself.India versus Australia encounters have seen Tendulkar, especially at home notching up match winning scores. Australia will be on their guard now after the little masters inclusion. But, on the flip side, it needs to be seen how quickly can he adjust to the pace of the Australian quickies, especially, after coming back from a elbow injury, as the elbow comes into real play in relation to the quick reflexes to go through with the strokes that would thrill the audiences.It doesnt matter if he adjusts or not, as his presence itself is a blessing for the team.

[Zainub]

Something tells me Kumar Sachin is hurrying into his come back into the team because he knows how much he was and will be missed. I'm not sure if that elbow has healed altogether just yet. I'd hate to see him play in pain.

[Nikhil]

I do not think Sachin is going to play the first test at all.

It's more of a morale booster for the Indian team and keep the Aussies guessing. Btw, I had read in Shane Warne's interview about three days ago, he was confident Sachin would play in B'lore. He was saying this, when no one was realistically talking about Sachin's fitness.

I think he will play the second test for sure.