Team management still not sure of Sachin's fitness

Bangalore, Aug 10 (UNI) Conflicting statements from Indian coach Greg Chappell and physiotherapist John Gloster has put a question mark on whether star batsman Sachin Tendulkar would be played in the tri-series that starts in Sri Lanka from August 14.

Chappell, replying to a question posed by reporters today said, ''Sachin is +improving day by day.+ He was not pushed hard as for as fielding is concerned. He is ok to bat and bowl.'' The coach had earlier said in Mumbai on his arrival from United States that Sachin would not be able to throw from the deep. This followed a Gloster's statement and BCCI General Secretary Niranjan Shah's clarification that he was fit and 'ready to play' which gave a confusing picture.

Gloster had stressed that Sachin was match fit as evidenced by his fine batting in the practice matchs during the camp in Bangalore.

So will Sachin really play in Sri Lanka or the coach would still decide not to 'push' the master blaster as yet, would be known only after India play their opening match a day after the Independence day.

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