NEW DELHI, 3 October 2008 – International cricket sensation Sachin Tendulkar has joined forces with UNICEF to get Indian children to wash their hands for better health and hygiene as part of the first ever Global Handwashing Day 15 October.

Tendulkar is featured in a public service announcement that will broadcast this month in 14 languages on television channels across the country to drum up support for the campaign targeting students in more than six million schools across India.

The ace cricketer who was behind the scene due to an elbow injury is back with a bang.

Talking to the media at the M Chinnaswany Stadium, where he was practicing for the on-coming matches, Tendulkar said, “It’s about performing and that is what the whole team must concentrate on doing”. 

He made no comment on the exit of Sourav Ganguly, but emphasized on the fact that the Australian team should not be underestimated. Even though they are a few new players in the team, they have played a lot of cricket in their homeland. 

Mumbai: Here’s a good news for Indian fans. Master-blaster batsman Sachin Tendulkar has been declared fit for the upcoming four test match series against Australia.

BCCI secretary Niranjan Shah said in a statement: “A report submitted by Paul Close (National Cricket Academy physio) states that the player has recovered fully from his elbow injury. Tendulkar will join the camp (at Bangalore from September 30) prior to the series.”

Master blaster, Sachin Tendulkar termed Australia as a bigger rival of India than traditional Pakistan. He was clearly commenting on the forthcoming series with Australia and India. He stressed the need of competition and high standards of play in cricket matches. 

He also recalled the days when Indian team achieved a glorious victory over Australia in its home turf and Australian people liked the sports spirit and competitiveness of Indian team. He said that the Indian players need to be well prepared for coming series. 

In order to give his elbow some more rest, Sachin Tendulkar has decided to opt out of the Irani Trophy match to be played in Baroda from September 24. The master blaster batsman had earlier declared himself fit for the match. 

While speaking on this on Saturday, BCCI CAO, Ratnakar Shetty said, “Tendulkar is not playing the Irani Trophy because he has been advised a week of rehabilitation.”

Tendulkar injured his elbow in the third test match at Colombo against Lankans, due to which he was not able to play the ODI series in Sri Lanka.

The Indian selectors on Monday finally selected Tamil Nadu batsman Subramanium Badrinath for the upcoming ODI series against Sri Lanka.

Badrinath will replace injured Sachin Tendulkar. Sachin Tendulkar sustained an injury while attempting a catch during the third test match in Colombo against Sri Lanka.

According to the Indian team manager T.C. Mathew, injured Tendulkar would be leaving for India soon.