Sachin Tendulkar, the man most Indians believe could walk on water, will be given a fitness test two days before the next clash against Australia at Nagpur.

Among the biggest cheers during the first two Tests were for Tendulkar when he ran onto the field with batting gloves or drinks for his teammates. Having been with the squad as the spare 15th man while attempting to overcome tennis elbow, he's been doing a lot of the 12th man duties and his every appearance has provoked an ear-splitting reaction from the crowd.

With eight days to go before the third Test, Tendulkar was again named as India's 15th man, but there appeared to be renewed optimism about his chances of making the Indian side at Nagpur on October 26.

"It is very, very frustrating to wait on the sidelines. I am tired of waiting," Tendulkar said earlier this week.

"I really want to play. You would not know how sad I feel sitting in the dressing-room."

The only change to India's squad was fast bowler Ashish Nehra coming in for Irfan Pathan, who was ruled out with a side strain.

"I checked Sachin," said the Indian team doctor Anant Joshi.

"He has improved, so much so ... it is up to him to decide his return. It is a question of him feeling comfortable about playing again."

India's physiotherapist Andrew Leipus issued a statement saying: "With this type of injury it is not easy to predict when he will be functional enough to return to cricket.

"Contrary to reports he is definitely not out of the series. Most tendon injuries do not heal very well and often the initial attempt to return to sport is met with recurrence. We do not expect Sachin to be feeling 100 per cent fit in the near future but rather, we expect him to fulfil two criteria before playing for India again.

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