Tendulkar, 31, will make his comeback after missing the first two Tests with an elbow injury. Australia lead the four-Test series 1-0.

"The elbow is not going to be normal in the near future," he told reporters on Sunday. "There is some stiffness. The injury can't get better overnight. Once I spend time in the middle the muscle will relax.

"After 115 Tests, you've to be prepared to overcome all obstacles. I'm mentally prepared. I've played enough against Australia, I know what to expect."

Tendulkar, who has been out of action with tennis elbow since the Asia Cup final in August, passed a fitness Test in Mumbai on Saturday.

"There is no pain, but the elbow is obviously not a 100 per cent," he said. "When you get scraped, for example, there is a scab after the blood clots and it takes time to go no matter what you do."

Tendulkar has scored 9,470 Test runs, 1,789 of them against Australia at an average of 57.7. He is just one behind Sunil Gavaskar's world record 34 Test centuries.

Tendulkar said watching the first two Tests from the sidelines was the toughest part of his injury so far.

"It was very difficult because I wanted to be out there in the centre. I'm really happy to finally get back and to be in a position to help the team."

He said his only expectation was to do the best that he could.

"I'll be more than happy if I can spend four or five hours in the middle. I've done intensive training in the last few days, but I don't want to make any big statements," he said.

"I want to take things as they come. I'll just go out and play my shots."

Australia are seeking their first Test series win on Indian soil since 1969. They took a 1-0 lead in their 2001 tour before India came back to win the last two Tests.

World champions Australia, who enjoy a 1-0 lead after winning the opening Test in Bangalore by 217 runs, will be assured of their first series victory on Indian soil in 35 years if they win here.

A draw or an Indian success will set up an explosive climax in Tendulkar's home city of Mumbai next week after rain prevented a result in the second Test in Madras.

Both the Indian team and fans welcomed Tendulkar's return, caring little for the fact that the 31-year-old has not played a competitive match since the Asia Cup final on August 1.

India captain Sourav Ganguly, worried about the poor form of his top order batsmen, was delighted to have the little master back.

"I don't think the lay-off will be a problem," Ganguly said ahead of nets at the VCA ground. "He is a cricketer par excellence. He will be able to get back into rhythm straightaway."

Tendulkar has scores of 176, 179 and an unbeaten 201 in three of the four Tests he has played in this central Indian city.