Tendulkar hands India World Cup worry

Johannesburg: Sachin Tendulkar handed India a World Cup injury worry on Saturday when he was reported to have pulled out of the tour of South Africa.

The veteran batsman equalled Sanath Jayasuriya's world record of 444 one-day international appearances in the one-run win over South Africa but struggled to make 24 off 44 balls.

Tendulkar did not field during the South African innings and there was no immediate explanation of the reason.

But quoted on a cricket website, captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni said: "Most likely he is going back".

A tour insider said that Tendulkar had injured a hamstring, a worrying development with the World Cup starting in South Asia on February 19.

India have pulled out a win out of nowhere to level the series 1-1, but their task of winning the series has become more difficult with Sachin Tendulkar has become the fourth first-choice player to return to India, joining openers Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir, and fast bowler Praveen Kumar.

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