Tendulkar disappointed at missing tomorrow's three-dayer

Batting maestro Sachin Tendulkar said he was greatly disappointed at missing the three-day cricket match between Ranji Trophy champions Mumbai and the Australians starting in Mumbai on Thursday.

"It is a big disappointment that Ajit (Agarkar) and I would miss the match but we have to take these kind of things in our strides," a perfectly fit looking Tendulkar told reporters here.

"I can only say that coach John Wright and physio Andrew Leipus had written to the Mumbai Cricket Association about keeping me and Ajit (Agarkar) out of the team so that we may be fresh when taking on the Aussies in the first Test at Wankhede Stadium starting on February 27," he said.

Asked what he thought of the Australian bowling attack, Tendulkar said, "they have a terrific bowling attack and one has to be very patient and wait for the loose ball to score off. I think it will be a very interesting series ahead of us."

To a query whether he would reconsider leading India or for that matter Mumbai in future, Tendulkar said "as of now I am not even thinking on those lines as I want to concentrate on my batting and get as many runs as possible for my country.

"Moreover, Sourav Ganguly is doing very well as the Indian team captain and so is Samir Dighe, the Mumbai captain, and my work is to score runs, take wickets and hold as many catches as possible," he added.

"My advise to the Mumbai players, when they play the Aussies tomorrow, is to play positively and go all out to win the match like we did last time around", said the Indian batting machine.

Tendulkar along with his Mumbai teammates, Agarkar, Samir Dighe and leg spinner Sairaj Bahutule attended a function at the Mumbai Press Club on Wednesday.

Lean and lanky Agarkar, who too looked quite fit, said he was looking forward to bowling to the Australian batsmen on Indian pitches.

"I really enjoyed bowling to them on the bouncy wickets in Australia and I think it will be a good series ahead of us", he added.

Samir Dighe said the services of Tendulkar and Agarkar would surely be missed as they are world class players.

"However, it is good for the Indian team as both will be fresh for the Test matches. From our side we (Mumbai) will play positively and their absence will give youngsters an opportunity to play against the best side in the world", he added.

Asked whether he still hoped to make a comeback to the Indian side with the selectors recalling Nayan Mongia, Dighe said "when I play for my team, be it for India or Mumbai, I try to give hundred per cent and the rest is for the selector to decide".

Bahutule, who missed selection for the Indian team by a whisker, said "it is not true to say that I don't have a googly. I can bowl googlies and have been working on it during the conditioning camp".