Chappell trusts Tendulkar to deliver

Greg Chappell, the Indian coach, believes that Sachin Tendulkar is set to make a sparkling return to international cricket. "Sachin is well and truly on track to hit good form," Chappell told AFP ahead of a seven-match one-day home series against Sri Lanka starting at Nagpur on October 25.

Tendulkar, who is the world's leading scorer with 13,642 runs in 348 one-day matches and a record 38 centuries, has been out of action with an injured elbow ever since India hosted Pakistan in April but played in a domestic one-day tournament earlier this month. "Sachin has been batting well and his presence is good for other players," Chappell said at the end of a three-day conditioning camp at the National Cricket Academy in Banglaore. "We are happy that from the fitness point of view he was fine during the camp. I think that's a very positive thing."

After the one-dayers against Sri Lanka, India play another five games against South Africa from mid-November. India, World Cup finalist in 2003, have slumped to number seven in the ICC's one-day rankings, while Sri Lanka are second behind Australia, and South Africa fifth.

Chappell, who took over as India's coach in June, wants to pick those players whom he considers likely contenders for the next World Cup in the Caribbean. "The year 2007 seems a long way away but we need to start looking at it seriously from now, taking into account injuries, form and other factors," he said. "We need to use our resources wisely as it's easier for a youngster to come into an experienced side. Australia struggled in the 1980s because they did not bring in youngsters at the right time and we need to be careful in that regard."

India have played two one-day finals this season and lost both - to Sri Lanka in Colombo and New Zealand in Harare - and its batting also presents a vulnerable look with Sachin Tendulkar feeling his way back after an elbow injury. "We have been planning some different combinations and hope to put up a good show against Sri Lanka, who are a fine side," Chappell said.

The Indian squad for the first two one-dayers against Sri Lanka, which excludes former captain Sourav Ganguly, bears the Chappell stamp with a horde of youngsters rubbing shoulders with the veterans. Seven players in the 15-man squad have played less than 20 one-day internationals with S Sreesanth being a debutant. Notable omissions due to injury or poor form included Zaheer Khan, Ashish Nehra, Anil Kumble and Laxmipathy Balaji, four regular front-line bowlers, leaving the attack badly shorn of experience.

Ajit Agarkar, with 217 one-day wickets, is the most experienced bowler in the squad. He is followed by spinner Harbhajan Singh with 127 wickets and Irfan Pathan (63). The four remaining bowlers, Sreesanth, Murali Kartik, Rudra Pratap Singh and Jai Prakash Yadav, have 24 wickets between them. These bowlers are expected to contain a strong Sri Lankan batting line-up that includes Sanath Jayasuriya (10,122 runs), skipper Marvan Atapattu (7,543), Mahela Jayawardene (4,739) and Kumar Sangakarra (3,371) on Indian wickets tailor-made for batting.