The Indian team suffered another jolt on Saturday when master batsman Sachin Tendulkar [Images], who is nursing a groin injury, was ruled out of the third and final Test against South Africa.

Board of Control for Cricket in India secretary Niranjan Shah said Tendulkar, who sustained the injury during the drawn first Test in Chennai, hasn't recovered sufficiently to play in the April 11-15 match at the Green Park Stadium in Kanpur.

"Sachin Tendulkar will be unavailable for selection for the third Test match due to his right groin injury. Sachin's recovery is making good progress, but he has not recovered sufficiently to be available for the third Test," Shah said in a statement.

"This decision has been taken to give Sachin the opportunity to make a full recovery from this injury. Sachin has a rehabilitation programme to continue with and will be monitored closely," he said.

The development has come as a blow to the team, which is struggling to save the ongoing second Test at the Motera grounds in Ahmedabad.