Tendulkar hands India World Cup worry

Johannesburg: Sachin Tendulkar handed India a World Cup injury worry on Saturday when he was reported to have pulled out of the tour of South Africa.

The veteran batsman equalled Sanath Jayasuriya's world record of 444 one-day international appearances in the one-run win over South Africa but struggled to make 24 off 44 balls.

Tendulkar did not field during the South African innings and there was no immediate explanation of the reason.

But quoted on a cricket website, captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni said: "Most likely he is going back".

A tour insider said that Tendulkar had injured a hamstring, a worrying development with the World Cup starting in South Asia on February 19.

India have pulled out a win out of nowhere to level the series 1-1, but their task of winning the series has become more difficult with Sachin Tendulkar has become the fourth first-choice player to return to India, joining openers Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir, and fast bowler Praveen Kumar.

Scores	Upcoming	Results
Bangladesh vs Zimbabwe - 1st T20I Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Rajasthan Royals - 50th Match Mumbai Indians vs Kolkata Knight Riders - 51st Match 52nd Match - Royal Challengers Bangalore v Gujarat Titans - May 04, 14:00 GMT 53rd Match - Punjab Kings v Chennai Super Kings - May 05, 10:00 GMT 49th Match - Chennai Super Kings v Punjab Kings at Chennai Punjab Kings won by 7 wickets (with 13 balls remaining) 48th Match - Lucknow Super Giants v Mumbai Indians at Lucknow Lucknow Super Giants won by 4 wickets (with 4 balls remaining)

Kohli, Yusuf Shine With Bat in ODI Series [+]

Kohli and Pathan turned out to be the star for India in the batting department in the five-match ODI series against South Africa which they lost 2-3.

Series a Lesson for Batsmen Before WC - Dhoni [+]

After losing the closely-fought ODI series 2-3 to South Africa, Indian captain MS Dhoni said it was a "disappointing" performance by the batsmen.

South Africa Win Series Despite Yusuf Ton [+]

Yusuf Pathan hit a 68-ball century but Morne Morkel took four wickets as South Africa won the ODI series 3-2 by beating India by 33 runs by the D/L method in the fifth ODI at Centurion.

India, South Africa Eyes Finished With Win Before WC [+]

With the series tantalizingly poised at 2-2, India will have to quickly regroup and sort out their batting woes as they go into the fifth and final one-dayer on Sunday against the Proteas, hoping to register their first-ever series triumph on SA Soil.

South Africa Level Series Despite Kohli Fireworks [+]

Virat Kohli struck a sparkling 87 not out and had a hand in three dismissals but couldn't stop South Africa from winning the fourth one-day international against India at St George's Park on Friday.

South Africa Opt to Bat Against India at St George's Park [+]

South Africa captain Graeme Smith won the toss and chose to bat against India in the fourth one-dayer at St George's Park in Port Elizabeth on Friday.

Dhoni Injured But Likely to Play Crucial Match [+]

Under MS Dhoni and Gary Kirsten, the Indian cricket team has achieved many firsts, in all forms of the game. It is now on the cusp of another - first-ever ODI series win in South Africa.

India Look to First Series Victory in South Africa [+]

Having gained a 2-1 lead after registering back-to-back victories in the last two games against the Proteas, India go into the fourth one-dayer on Friday seeking to clinch their first-ever ODI series triumph on South African soil.

Graeme Smith Hails Explosive Pathan [+]

Graeme Smith on Tuesday said that Yusuf Pathan's breezy innings ruined the day for his side in the third cricket one-dayer against India.

Pathan Powers India to Thriller Win, Lead 2-1 [+]

A burst of powerful hitting by Yusuf Pathan spurred India to a thrilling two-wicket win in the third ODI against SA at Newlands in Cape Town on Tuesday.