Tendulkar to play Irani Trophy

	Sachin Tendulkar is likely to be one of several stars to play in the Irani Trophy match © AFP

Sachin Tendulkar has declared himself fit for the coming season and will play the Irani Trophy match between Ranji Trophy champions Delhi and Rest of India starting on September 24 in Baroda.

"I have recovered totally and am feeling fine," said Tendulkar. "I will play in the Irani Trophy match against the Ranji Trophy champions Delhi."

Tendulkar has been troubled by injury this year - first hurting his groin during the Tests against South Africa and then his left elbow, which ruled him out of the ODIs in Sri Lanka last month.

With no international fixtures ahead of the Test series against Australia, starting October 9, several national players will be available for the season-opening Irani Trophy, a match which will feature probables for the Australia series.

It is expected to be a keen contest, with the Delhi squad including Test regulars Gautam Gambhir, Virender Sehwag and Ishant Sharma, youngsters Virat Kohli and Pradeep Sangwan as well as former Test opener Aakash Chopra. Meanwhile, apart from Tendulkar, VVS Laxman, Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Sourav Ganguly, Rahul Dravid and Anil Kumble could all feature in the Rest of India squad.