KOLKATA, Sept 21: India’s Sachin Tendulkar has opted out of next month’s challenge series between champions Australia and the Rest of the World because of a nagging elbow injury.

“He will not be playing in the Super Series because he has not fully recovered. He has told us and we have informed the ICC (International Cricket Council),” Indian cricket board joint secretary Gautam Das Gupta said.

Tendulkar has not played competitive cricket since undergoing surgery on his left elbow in May. He is back in the nets but opted out of the ongoing Test series in Zimbabwe, saying he was not ready for international cricket.

An ICC spokesman said the Super Series selectors had already had preliminary discussions because of the doubts over Tendulkar and would meet as soon as possible to select a replacement.

Tendulkar had been included in the 13-man Test squad and the 14-man one-day squad to play Australia in three one-dayers and a six-day Test.—Reuters