Sachin Tendulkar on Friday expressed satisfaction with the progress in his fitness programme but refrained from committing whether he will be able to play the Test series against the West Indies next month.
The 33-year-old batsman, who underwent a shoulder surgery in March this year, said it is not possible to put a time frame for recovering from such injuries and his availability for the Test series would be known only after he undergoes the fitness test on May 23.
"There is no time frame as such. It is a matter of strength levels. When you strengthen you got to have time for recovery for the muscles to relax and get time for another session. The resting period is also important. I am working on it," Tendulkar said in Chennai.
When asked specifically whether he is ready to make the trip to the West Indies for the four-match Test series, the batsman avoided a direct reply and said his fitness test in Mumbai on May 23 would provide the answer.
"I am preparing to the best of my ability and the trainer and physio are here with me. We are working two sessions a day.
"But I still have to undergo a fitness test in Mumbai on May 23. After that I will be able to let you know whether it [going to the West Indies] is happening or not. Before that to give my judgement is not the right thing to do," said Tendulkar, who underwent a five-day fitness regimen at the MRF Pace Foundation.
A discussion with Dr Andrew Wallace, the London doctor who conducted the shoulder surgery, would help him make the final decision.
"He [Wallace] knows what has been done inside the body. The physio and the trainer can only make things better for me and the progress is in the right direction. But eventually it is important that I also meet Andrew Wallace and figure out what is happening and how I am progressing.
"Whether I am going or not going [to the West Indies], I will still meet him and figure out because this programme was decided much earlier when I was operated on in March," Tendulkar said.
But Tendulkar is keen to return to the game as soon as possible.
"At this moment the goal is to get fit as early as possible. That is what I was targeting for so many days. That remains my target and goal."
Tendulkar was impressed by the facilities at the Foundation and satisfied with his stint here.
"Since May 15, I have progressed quite a bit. Ramji Srinivasan and Andrew Leipus have really worked hard with me. They introduced several strengthening exercises, which have actually helped me to develop strength, obviously not to the level of competing right now. But it is getting much better day by day. There is noticeable difference," Tendulkar said, adding he did not feel any discomfort while taking catches.
"It [the shoulder] can be stronger to be able to bat at that level [international matches]. It is going to take bit of time. I am just going to work on it basically," Tendulkar said.
"Many strengthening sessions will surely improve the strength level and stability in my shoulder and also the biceps," he added.
The champion batsman denied that his recent injuries had anything to do with the heavy bat he uses.
"It is nothing to do with the weight of my bat. The specialists would have told me if that was so. I get to read some statements that I should play with a lighter bat by some doctors who had not seen me at all. It is not the way to go. There are people who are guiding me and directing the right things to be done by me.
"Eventually, I have to be comfortable with whatever bat I play with. So, I will decide," he said.
