Tendulkar, who missed the first two Tests due to an ongoing tennis-elbow problem, practised for an hour on Tuesday, but refused to rate his chances of playing in the Nagpur Test.

"I have started using a lighter bat but it is too soon to say when I will be back," Tendulkar told Press Trust of India.

"I am taking it step by step but I have to take the final step. I am feeling much better but the doctor has said that this injury is such that it will take time to heal."

Karunakaran Nair, the secretary of the Indian cricket board, also indicated that a final decision would be taken much closer to the match, which starts on October 26.

"He will have to undergo a fitness test two days before the match. If he's declared fit, he will play," Nair said. "We're optimistic about his chances."