Of course, the pain had its first virulent manifestation at the time of his century knock in the first Test match against Pakistan at Chennai on January 31. A week later, Sachin played in Delhi with a spinal support belt wrapped around his lower back. Says S.P. Mandal, senior orthopaedic consultant at Gangaram Hospital, who examined him for four hours: 'Sachin reported of problems while he was fielding but he was affected by spasms while batting.' On the eve of the match, he underwent special treatment for the pain and Mandal helped him with some exercises. While he identified the injury as pain in the right sacroiliac muscles and the lumbar regions, the mri scan thankfully cleared him of bone injuries. The problem persisted in Sri Lanka, but Sachin took care to keep his spine straight as much as possible and avoid back-aggravating shots.