India have received a much needed boost with the news that both Sachin Tendulkar and Anil Kumble are fit for the forthcoming tour to South Africa. The Indian Cricket Board secretary Jaywant Lele said that he spoke to Tendulkar on Tuesday and that the player confirmed that he had been cleared by his arthroscopic surgeon to resume training. It is believed that he hopes to avoid a repeat of the toe injury which caused him to miss the Coca-Cola Cup and the Sri Lanka tour by wearing specially molded inner soles in his boots.

Tendulkar is in Mumbai where he is said to be playing golf and undergoing light exercise under the supervision of a Board doctor. Kumble, too, had confirmed that he would be available for the trip. "He has disclosed that he is completely fit and has no problem with his shoulder which was operated upon in January," Lele told the Times of India. "I am expecting their fitness certificates within a day or two."

The only major doubts remain the fitness of VVS Laxman, who is still in Australia following an operation on his knee, and Zaheer Khan, who suffered from problems with his shins during the recently completed Test in Colombo. Javagal Srinath, who missed the second and third Tests in Sri Lanka after breaking a finger, is expected to be cleared to tour in the next few days.

© Wisden CricInfo Ltd