Cricket: India may sack Tendulkar

Indian cricket, which has slid to abysmal levels in the past year, faces its first crisis of the new year yesterday amid speculation that Sachin Tendulkar may be sacked as captain.

Indian selectors have reportedly lost patience with the talented 24-year- old batsman, who failed to lead India to a win in 12 Tests in 1997 and managed just 10 victories in 39 one-day internationals.

The selectors meet today to choose a captain and team for a three-nation limited-overs tournament in Bangladesh this month.

Ramakant Desai, the chairman of selectors, denied rumours that Tendulkar had offered to step down. "Sachin has not told us he wants to quit as captain. Whatever the decision, it will be entirely ours," he said.

Under Tendulkar, who became captain in August 1996, India have won just three of their 17 Tests and 17 of 54 one-dayers. His last Test win was at home in December 1996 against South Africa, before India were beaten in away series in South Africa, the West Indies and Sri Lanka.

India face their arch rivals Pakistan and Bangladesh in a one-day tournament from 10 to 19 January in Dhaka.