Sachin Tendulkar said he would play in the upcomingcricket series against Pakistan only if he was fully fit while dismissingsuggestions that his use of a heavy bat was the cause for his elbow trouble.
"I have been advised five to six weeks rest by thedoctors. I played my last match on December 27 and have not touched the bat orball since then," Tendulkar told reporters on the sidelines of a productlaunch in Mumbai.
"I am not going to hurry my return. I am eager toplay against Pakistan but I would do so only if I am fully fit and able to play.I will strictly go by what the doctors say," he said.
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"This injury has been the only one which has hadme struggling," said Tendulkar, who had fought back to the top level afterbeing sidelined by a back injury five years ago.
He said his injury had nothing to do with the use of aheavy bat.
"I have been reading articles wrongly attributingmy injury to my usage of heavy bats. I have used heavy bats for 15 years withoutany trouble," he said.
About the series against Pakistan, Tendulkar expressedhope it would be a good and closely fought series.
"Pakistan are coming after a long time andeveryone is awaiting it. I hope the series will be a good one and fought well,"said.
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Asked about any specific target he had in mind,Tendulkar said he never set any target. "At this stage of my career I don'twant to change my style of play," he added.
Tendulkar rued missing the ongoing Deodhar Trophy andthe February 7-10 Challenger Series in Mumbai. "Whileothers are playing the tournaments, I have been advised rest," he said.
The master batsman expressed happiness for youngleft-arm seamer Irfan Pathan who won ICC's Best New Talent Award this year.
"He deserves the award. He has performed very welland I hope he continues to do well. He is a good role model foryoungsters," the former captain said.
PTI
