Tendulkar to miss fourth ODI

Hamilton: After scoring a majestic 163 at Christchurch and helping India to take a 2-0 series lead over New Zealand, batting maestro Sachin Tendulkar has been declared unfit for fourth ODI to be played in Hamilton on Wednesday.

The Indian opener retired hurt with an abdominal injury that left him a doubtful starter at Seddon Park.

India will meet New Zealand in the first of three Test matches at Seddon Park on March 18-22, in what is likely to be the last time the Tendulkar tours New Zealand.

Tendulkar, who retired hurt after belting a stunning 163 in the third ODI, underwent ultrasound at a local hospital.

Tendulkar destroyed the New Zealand bowling attack in Christchurch on Sunday, smashing 15 fours and five sixes before his injury prematurely curtailed his chase for the record ODI score of 194.

“Towards the end I was hopeful I would be able to get it (200) if I stayed there to the 50th over, it was in the vicinity,” Tendulkar said.

“I got hit in my abs off (Iain) O’Brien (in the previous match) and the muscle was quite sore. I knew with every big hit I was damaging it there came a stage where I just knew I couldn’t go on.”

Interestingly, while Tendulkar and team doctor Nitin Patel were at the hospital, the rest of the team had a day out in the hills adjoining Christchurch.

Indian team manager Niranjan Shah confirmed that the Indian opener will miss the Hamilton ODI after reports suggested that there was no tear in the muscle.

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