A deep look into

Sachin's Injury

Its the most talked about thing in the cricketing world these days - Sachin Tendulkar's fitness. And why not? Barely 3 months to the world cup and the saviour of the Indian team flies to London to get mediacl attention for his (overworked ?) back which has been giving him trouble since the tour of New Zealand earlier this year, forcing Sachin to sit out of the last one-dayer - the first ODI (his 211th) he has missed due to injury in a career spanning 10 years. Great achievement for a man who has always prided himself on fitness.

Since then Sachin has played four Tests against Pakistan and Sri Lanka and scored 2 centuries and 2 ducks - pretty even you may say but is he playing too much cricket? After the first Test against Pakistan at Chennai this was what was said -

"Indian cricket might well be seen in a new perspective if Sachin Tendulkar pulls out of the second Test because of his back pain. Will Tendulkar play or not? The contest at Chennai, so stunningly won by Pakistan, had once again highlighted the team's dependence on Tendulkar apart from the lack of depth in the bowling. He had almost single-handedly won the Test for India but his back spasms eventually induced an imperfect shot that brought Pakistan back into the match. Even as the team is once again looking up to the little maestro for deliverance, comes the disturbing news regarding his back not having responded adequately to the treatment."

But barely 3 days later Sachin was a relieved man when all medical tests during the past two days revealed nothing that could keep him out of the second cricket Test between India and Pakistan at the Ferozeshah Kotla. The persistent pain in his right hip and a sore back was disturbing to the team doctor Ravinder Chadha. On Wednesday evening it was decided that an MRI scan should be done. The tests confirmed that Tendulkar only has a muscle spasm as diagnosed at Chennai by the team doctor. Once he got the clerance from the specialist, Tendulkar was mentally free from any worries and found strength to play in the Test. On the eve of the Test he was feeling a lot better.

Such were the expectations from Sachin after his brilliant innings at Chennai that people were praying for him to recover. Never had so many people been so worried about the health of Sachin . For good reason too, as it was believed that the fitness of India's star batsman would determine the health of the second cricket Test against Pakistan. Tendulkar disappointed, failing in both innings of the Test. In this Test he had batted with a conspicuous red protective pad around his waist which led commentator and close friend Sanjay Manjrekar to say : "Its very unlikely that Sachin would let the opponents know that he is not 100 percent fit. If he has the red protection so conspicuous his back must be really bad".

After the Calcutta Test against pakistan, the only news about Sachin that appeared was about his injury. "India's batting spine not in good shape" said the headlines. Sachin Tendulkar zipped off to England to seek urgent medical attention for his problematic back. Tendulkar left with his wife Anjali -- a doctor herself -- for London, where his back was examined by Dr Phillips, a noted back specialist. It was Dr Phillips who treated Ian and Greg Chappell for back problems of a similar nature.

After Sachin Tendulkar returned home it was clear that he would miss the entire tri-series on medical advise to take a two-week break from cricket and rest his damaged lower joint muscles. Describing the sudden first serious physical reversal in his ten-year international cricket career, Tendulkar said he still was a little stiff since the vertebrae of his lower back were damaged. “He (Dr Ken kennedy in London) has given me some stretching and strengthening exercises,” Sachin told reporters after arriving from London and added there was no time-frame for them to be continued. "But Ill be fit for the world cup" he added.

“I will have to continue these exercises and from now on have to take care of my back,” said the ace bat on whom so much of India’s hopes rest in the World Cup. Tendulkar said there was still some mild stiffness in his back but the good news was he did not have to wear a strap to support it. Tendulkar said there was still some mild stiffness in his back but the good news was he did not have to wear a strap to support it. Asked why he had carried a bat to London along with his other baggage, Tendulkar said Kennedy, who was recommended to him by former Australian skipper Ian Chappell, wanted him to demonstrate a few of his shots and see which of these put more pressure on his back. “He (Kennedy) analysed my whole game,” Tendulkar said.

Thanking Chappell, who himself had been treated by Kennedy during his playing days, Tendulkar said the treatment given to him was very thorough. “The trip was good. The doctor had some knowledge of cricket, being a sportsman himself,” Tendulkar said. Kennedy had played rugby for the British Lions.

Thats the story till date but the reason for Tendulkar's injury still remains a mystery. Although all symptoms point to excessive cricket under tremendous pressure ( See How bad is it? ) another theory doing the rounds is that it is his heavy bat that is responsible. ( See Sachin's bat - A burden?)