Currently indisposed due to a hairline fracture to his right toe, Sachin Tendulkar is missing his first Test in the last 12 years. That his presence in the Indian squad will be sorely missed is an understatement of sorts, especially considering the fact that India's batting stalwart's name features on the legendary Sir Donald Bradman's selection of the World's Best Team. 

NDTV spoke with Tendulkar on being named in Bradman's dream team and Dr Joshi, the orthopaedic surgeon treating him about his injury. 


Sachin, you have been chosen by none other than Sir Don Bradman in his all-time best 11. Does that make you feel very special?


Sure it does. I am very happy and very thrilled. I think it's a great honour to be amongst those names and especially when Don himself chose this team and made me bat at number four. Before me is Sir Don and after me Sir Gary, what else can you ask for? It's a great honour but there are a lot of great names missing in that and my name was considered and actually added in that list. I am on top of the world.


Dr Joshi, how serious is Sachin's injury at the moment and what exactly is wrong with him?


I think Sachin has an uncommon injury. It's a fracture of a very small bone at the base of the big toe. The big toe takes the brunt of the attack when you are really taking off for a run. There are two small bones at the base, on the inner side and the outer side. The one on the inner side is the one which is fractured, and there's a distinct break in the bone and we have confirmed this on a CT scan as well as a bone scan. We are pretty sure that it’s a fracture and it needs to heal up. We have finished five weeks from the time of injury today and I think in another week or so we will know that the bone will at least gum up or join up a little bit and then we are talking about a period of four to six weeks.


By the end of September, Sachin should be in a position to play the game again?


I think optimistically, yes.


Sachin, it's been five weeks since you have had this injury and there's so much of speculation in the media. There were even reports that Sachin doesn't want to play under Ganguly's captaincy. Does that anger you, for a player who has played continuously for the last 13 years?


I think people are obviously going to talk some or the other thing but the understanding between Sourav and me is there. We don't have any problems. It's a very transparent relationship and it hasn't affected us at all.


At the end of the day, what message are you giving to those millions of fans who want to know when you will be back? That sense of expectation and the pressure that builds up with people constantly asking you when are you going to get back, does that get to you at all?


Sometimes it is difficult. I mean to answer each and every individual. But I totally understand their feelings and I am happy that people are concerned about me and want me to get back into action. All I can say is that I am trying my best.

                                                                                        Courtesy : NDTV