Chappell: Tendulkar 'nearing full fitness'

Sachin Tendulkar is close to regaining full fitness ahead of the triangular one-day series in Sri Lanka, according to India's coach, Greg Chappell.

"We are confident he will be, if not fully fit, so close to it that it will be satisfactory for everyone," Chappell told reporters before the team's departure for Colombo. "His fitness is improving everyday."

Tendulkar, who has a world-record 39 one-day centuries to his name, returned to the squad after being out of international cricket since March due to shoulder surgery. India meet Sri Lanka on August 16 in their opening match of the three-way tournament, which also features South Africa.

"I thought his batting during the [training] camp here was very good," added Chappell, "but we have not pushed him very hard at this stage with regard to his fielding."

India's captain, Rahul Dravid, said the tri-series was an opportunity for his team to better their record in Sri Lanka. "We are playing against two very good teams," he said. "It is a big challenge but also an opportunity to boost our confidence."

India were thrashed 4-1 in their last one-day series, against West Indies in May, and they have not won a one-day tournament in Sri Lanka in recent times, losing both the 2004 Asia Cup final and a triangular series the following year.

"The important thing is to score runs on Sri Lankan pitches, which are slow," said Dravid. "It is always a challenge because they always play better at home. We need to work on certain areas, like batting in the middle order and rotating the strike."