Tendulkar has informed the BCCI that he has not recovered from the shoulder injury and should not be considered for selection for the Test series.
MUMBAI: Sachin Tendulkar on Tuesday ruled himself out of the Test series against the West Indies beginning next month.
The star batsman informed the Cricket Board that he has not recovered from the shoulder injury and should not be considered for selection for the four-match series. He also did not undergo the fitness test.
"We have been trying hard. Andrew Leipus has been with me all the time and all my sessions were monitored. There is still weakness in my arm and I am still not ready to compete at the international level", Tendulkar said.
When asked when he will be fully fit, he said, "It's a difficult question. I don't know. I leave it to the doctors to guide me in the right direction."
Tendulkar said he will be leaving for London on Tuesday night to consult Dr Andrew Wallace who had performed the surgery. "I am sure that the doctor is in touch with the Indian Cricket Board".
Leipus, who is supervising Tendulkar's rehabilitation programme since team physio John Gloster is currently in the West Indies, said it was important to prevent damage at the moment.
"It is a comprehensive rehabilitation process and should continue. It depends on how quickly he adapts. We cannot accelerate fast", he said.
"Basically we have taken this decision based on his functional weakness. We cannot keep training and training. rest is also important for complete recovery", he added.
"We don't want to do any further damage to his shoulder. We are looking at the bigger picture in order to prolong his career. The comprehensive rehabilitation process will continue", Leipus said.
BCCI secretary Niranjan Shah said that the Board was keen to have Tendulkar in the team as soon as possible and his rehabilitation process will be reviewed in two to three weeks time by the team management.
Shah said opener Wasim Jaffer, who underwent a fitness test on Tuesday following a shin surgery, was fit and available for selection.
"We looked at it (Jaffer's fitness test) from the point of view of his legs and he is fit. He was slightly out of breath today because he is recovering from viral fever", Leipus said.
The Indian squad for the four-match Test series against the West Indies will be announced on Wednesday. The first Test begins at Antigua on June 2.
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