HAMILTON Indias Sachin Tendulkar has been ruled out of the fourth one-day international against New Zealand here Wednesday, boosting the home sides hopes of turning their fortunes around.
India are 2-0 up in the five-match series after the second game was abandoned due to rain and a win in Hamilton would seal a series win.
Star batsman Tendulkar hit a brilliant 163 in Christchurch in leading India to a massive total of 392 for four in a comprehensive 58-run victory on Sunday.
The 'Little Master' retired hurt with a bruised abdomen and Indian management confirmed Tuesday he will miss the Hamilton game.
They said it was uncertain if he would play in the series finale in Auckland at the weekend, although he is believed likely to return for the three-Test series starting next week.
New Zealand coach Andy Moles said the absence of Tendulkar in Hamilton would be 'bittersweet'.
'Its great for us hes out but for the cricket lovers its a sad loss,' Moles said.
Tendulkar is expected to be replaced by Rohit Sharma, while pace bowler Ishant Sharma may return to the side, subject to a fitness test, after suffering a shoulder injury while fielding in a Twenty20 match last month.
The talented Indian batting lineup still includes Virender Sehwag, Yuvraj Singh, captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Suresh Raina, all of whom have tormented the often wayward New Zealand attack.
New Zealand vice-captain Brendon McCullum admitted all the momentum was with India but his side are desperate to get back into the series.
'We know now the only option for us is to win,' McCullum told reporters.
'Weve got to do something pretty special to turn it around.' New Zealand have dropped young paceman Tim Southee after being bashed for 0-105 off 10 overs in Christchurch.
New Zealand has lost their top performing seam bowler Ian Butler to a thigh injury suffered in the last match. But the good news is that captain Daniel Vettori is back after missing the last game to be with his wife for the birth of their first child.
All-rounder Ewen Thompson, yet to make his ODI debut, has been brought into the 12-man squad.
New Zealand opening bowler Kyle Mills, usually one of New Zealands best performers, admits he must turn his form around after being battered by India.
'Ive let the side down in the last couple of games. I havent started off as well as I normally have,' Mills said.
'These games they seem to have got on top of me and I do feel like theyre targeting me a little bit, so I have to try to stay a step ahead and the responsibility falls on me as leader of the bowling attack.' In the three one-dayers against India, Mills has captured only three wickets at an average cost of 57.60 runs, while conceding 7.20 runs an over.
Another heavy scoring match is anticipated at Napier, with the pitch expected to offer little for the bowlers.
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