Tendulkar heads to MRF Pace Foundation

Sachin Tendulkar, recuperating from a shoulder surgey, will train at the MRF Pace Foundation in Chennai from May 15 to 20. The batsman had to pull out of the five-match ODI series in West Indies and is hopeful of being fit for the Tests.

TA Sekar, the MRF Pace Foundation head coach, confirmed the news, saying that he received formal communication from Ratnakar Shetty, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) executive secretary in-charge.

"The Foundation has practice wickets where the ball comes on to the bat, a gym and a swimming pool", Sekar told The Hindu. "Tendulkar can follow the schedule drawn up for him by Indian team physio John Gloster. Fitness trainer Ramji Srinivasan will be around to guide him here."

Sekar added that it would be a great opportunity for the young bowlers at the foundation to bowl to Tendulkar. "It will be a learning experience for them. Tendulkar too can get into a good batting rhythm against pace with eight to ten bowlers operating at him. We have different types of wickets including a cement surface and Tendulkar, as he has said in the past, likes the pitches here."

Tendulkar began training in Mumbai a few days ago and was watched by Ian Fraser, the bio-mechanist, and Gregory King, the Indian team's trainer, and both were happy with his performance. His fitness will be assessed on May 20, four days before the selectors meet to pick the team for the four Tests against West Indies.