Tendulkar will be fit for second Test: Kumble

CHENNAI: Sachin Tendulkar has aggravated his groin injury he picked up in Australia but captain Anil Kumble on Sunday assured the master batsman would play in the second Test against South Africa in Ahmedabad.
    
Tendulkar did not take the field for most part of the final day of the first cricket Test here, coming in and walking out on two or three occasions.
    
"During the match, Tendulkar aggravated the groin injury he picked up in Australia. Besides this, he also has bit of a stomach upset," Kumble informed, hastening to add that there was no cause of doubt on the veteran batsman's availability for the second Test starting on April 3.
    
Kumble also made light of the slight niggle on his bowling arm which forced him to take rest for most part of the post-lunch session on Sunday.
    
"I have a slight niggle in the shoulder of my bowling arm. I knew the match was heading for a draw, that gave me some rest. I should be 100 per cent OK before the second Test," he said.
    
The Indian captain said Ishant Sharma's recovery has been satisfactory and the young Delhi pacer should make it to the squad for Ahmedabad if he recovers fully from his finger injury.
    
"Ishant Sharma is looking good and progressing well. In two or three days, we will decide whether he would make it to the team (for the second Test). He is looking good and progressing well. If he recovers fully, he will be part of the team," Kumble said.
    
Ishant was not named in the first Test squad due to a finger injury but was asked to be with the team.

Kumble said had he won the toss and bowled second, the result could have been different.
    
"Toss was crucial. If we had bowled second, it would have been slightly different," he said.
    
He said scoring 627 and taking 87-run first innings lead after South Africa's first innings 540 showed his team's character.
    
"The way we came back facing 540 runs showed our character. We were in a position to put some pressure on the South Africans by taking a good lead. We went for the runs yesterday and that was why we lost a few wickets'.
    
"I thought everybody in the team put in their best effort in this Test. It was tough in the first couple of days when the wicket was so flat. But we did well to pull back after a huge score the South African's had (in the first innings)."
    
Asked for his views of the Proteas negotiating the experienced Indian spinners, the leggie said, "They played good cricket. They have improved a lot."
    
Kumble asked the media and the fans not to think of only spinners taking all the 20 wickets when India play at home.
    
"People start talking about the spinners from day one till the last day. We have other bowlers to take early wickets though it did not happen this time. It's not the two spinners alone who would take the 20 wickets.
    
"I am hopeful, we will take 20 opposition wickets in the next two Tests," he said.
    
When pointed out that R P Singh did not do well as compared to his opposite number Dale Steyn, Kumble shot back, "No. I think he (R P Singh) did exceptionally well. He is playing his first Test at home and that too on difficult conditions. It was surely a tough pitch to bowl on. Every player is different but Steyn bowled well."