London, Jul 23: Sachin Tendulkar batted with a running fever during India's first innings today and left for the team hotel soon after he was out in the first Test here, it has been learnt.
Tendulkar, who was just one ton short of his 100th international century, was down with fever when he came into the middle with the team's score reading 77 for two.
He did well to survive till lunch break and on resumption struck six sumptuous fours while rattling up a quick 34 from 58 balls and batting for close to an hour and a half.
After he was out, caught at second slip off Stuart Broad, the little master left the ground for team hotel and it's learnt he took antibiotics and preferred a good sleep for himself.
He was thus understandably missing on the field when England began their second innings at the fag end of the day's play.
He would be required to be fit when India bat again in an attempt to draw the first Test and not concede a 0-1 advantage to England in the four-Test series.
In order to bat at his customary number four position, Tendulkar would be required to field during England's second innings on the fourth day's play tomorrow.
In case he fails to do so, he could only come out to bat after the fall of India's fifth wicket, whenever the visitors' second innings is played.
India were all out for 286 in their first innings, 188 runs behind England's 474 for eight declared.With two days' play remaining, India have an uphill task to save the Test. PTI
