Ace Indian batsman Sachin Tendulkar is a doubtful starter for the Boxing Day one-day international against New Zealand, according to reports trickling in from New Zealand. The batting maestro apparently slipped and fell while bowling in the nets at Auckland on Tuesday and complained of some pain afterwards.

While it is believed that Tendulkar's ankle is sprained, not fractured, there is a possibility that he may not recover in time to play the first one-day international. Soon after completing the net session, Tendulkar had to apply an ice pack to the injured ankle.

The Indian team manager NR Choudhary is reported to have said that Tendulkar was confident he would be fit and raring to go after a good rest on Christmas Day. He stressed that the injury was not a fracture or a ligament tear and this was reassuring.

"We are all keeping a close eye on his injury and hopefully he should be fit for the game. At present it is too early to commit yourself on it," Choudhary is quoted as saying.

Tendulkar is set to return to one-day cricket after missing out on the seven-match home series against West Indies. A hamstring injury kept him out of that series.

© CricInfo