* Tendulkar may require special shoe

Sachin Tendulkar, in all probability, will have to wear a special type of a shoe for the rest of his career. Doctors attending on him are of the opinion that this special shoe will provide the extra-protection to the sisamoid bone, where Tendulkar has suffered an injury. Talking over the phone from Mumbai on Monday, Dr. Anant Joshi said, "This type of shoe will prevent extra pressure on that particular bone. I have already contacted a couple of organizations in South Africa and the United States regarding this special shoe."

Joshi also informed that many international athletes use these type of shoes to prevent injury to their feet. He also could not confirm whether Tendulkar will be able to tour South Africa. "One will be in a position to comment after another 10 days whether Sachin will be able to play in South Africa," said Joshi. Indications however are that the bone had not healed fully. In fact, a number of doctors are of the opinion that Tendulkar should undergo a surgery to cure his problem.

Joshi however feels that the surgery is the last resort. "There is no need to take a hasty decision. We are trying to bring down the pain by injections. Let us at first keep him under observation. If all the other medications fail, then we can think about surgery."

* I am not bad tempered at all, says Ganguly

Indian cricket captain Sourav Ganguly on Monday defended his view that he should get a longer term as Indian captain. "The selectors have four years of contracts. The coach has a three-year contract and the physio also has a three-year contract. But the captain is chosen each year on the basis of the number of wins and defeats," Ganguly said in an interview with `Star News'.

"I don't know why people are making an issue of this. I am the captain and I am responsible for the team's performance. If the team loses, then the person who will get the stick is me," he asserted.

On his temper which had recently incurred the wrath of the match referee, the Indian captain said: "I am not bad tempered at all. May be, I get involved a bit. As a captain, you want to lead a winning side."

On mounting critisism of the team's lack of success under him after defeating Australia at home, Ganguly said the critisism is not fair. "From the time I've taken charge, we are missing main players with injuries. Anil Kumble, Sachin and Laxman and now Srinath was on and off," Ganguly said.

* Shewag and Nehra felicitated

Delhi's Virender Shewag and Ashish Nehra who excelled in the recently concluded triangular series in Colombo were felicitated in New Delhi on Monday night for their brilliant performance.

The duo were felicitated at a function presided over by Law Minister and Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA) president Arun Jaitley and vice-president CK Khanna.

Congratulating the young achievers, Jaitley said: "The two are now household names and the way they have graduated from domestic to international cricket in spite of all challenges is a matter of pride for the whole country and especially Delhi."

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