Tendulkar shows tangible improvement

'Things are looking to be in place' - Tendulkar, in an optimistic frame of mind after training at the MRF Pace Academy © Getty Images

The possibility that Sachin Tendulkar will join the Indian squad for the Test series against West Indies starting June 2 in Antigua has increased after yet another promising day - his fourth in a row - of training at the MRF Pace Academy in Chennai.

He spent 90 minutes working out in the hotel gym and then did a series of 'tubing' and 'pilates' exercises at the Academy as Andrew Leipus, the former Indian physiotherapist, watched on.

Batting in the nets for 30 minutes, Tendulkar drove, pulled and swept the bowlers who were not bowling flat-out.

On Wednesday, Tendulkar had trained for four hours, batting for two 45 minute-sessions in which Lakshmipathy Balaji, the right-arm seamer seeking to regain a place in the national team himself, and other Academy bowlers bowled to him from a shortened run-up. Though he didn't bowl, Tendulkar practiced catching - chest-high ones as well as high catches. He threw back the ball using his left hand and at times when he used his right hand, he threw it under-arm.

"I am very happy about the workouts and batting practice," Tendulkar told the Press Trust of India. "Things are looking to be falling in place."