Describing his epic knock of 175 against Australia as one of his best innings, Tendulkar said his effort would have been even more satisfying if it could have guided the team to victory in the pulsating fifth one-dayer.

Tendulkar’s 45th one-day century, a rollicking 141-ball knock, almost pulled off a great win for India on Thursday but the lower-order batsmen could not score the required 19 runs from 17 balls.

“We started off very well, there was a good partnership between Suresh (Raina) and me at one point of time. But we lost few crucial wickets and also the game itself. So it’s disappointing at the end of the day,” Tendulkar said after the match which India lost by just three runs on Thursday.

On being asked if he would rate this century as one of his best knocks, he said, “Ya, sort of. I was hitting the ball well. It was one of my best knocks.”

Tendulkar said it is his passion to play for the nation that has inspired him to perform consistently for 20 long years ever since he made international debut in 1988 as a 16-year-old boy.

“It’s the passion of representing India in international cricket that keep me motivated all the time. It’s always a dream to play for my country. I am absolutely honoured to do that for the last 20 years,” Tendulkar said.

Tendulkar also praised young left-hander Suresh Raina, who scored a run-a-ball 59 to support him well from the other end as they shared a 137-run fifth wicket partnership which was instrumental in bringing India close to win.

“Suresh is a terrific talent. We were trying to push the game as close as possible. We were chasing a big target, there was constant pressure on us, but we managed it well to bring the match quite close,” Tendulkar, adjudged Man-of-the-Match for his magnificent knock, said.

Rivals captains — Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Ricky Ponting — also showered encomiums on Tendulkar for his blistery knock.

Dhoni said though this was another special innings by Tendulkar, his personal favourite still remains the one he produced in Sharjah against Australia in April 1998.

“It was a pleasure to see him batting so well. All his centuries have been special and this too. But I am still a big fan of his desert storm (innings),” he said.

“It’s one of the best knocks I have seen. Sachin was playing beautifully today. And I think, the wickets was also great here and enthusiastic crowd all around as well,” Ponting said.

On his return to the country this morning, Siddle, one of the five Australian cricketers who have been forced out of the series due to injuries, said he is glad to be back home after being on the road for so long.

“It’s very pleasing to be home, back to see family and friends and sleep in my own bed,” Siddle quipped.

“It has been a long tour, I guess, and the guys have been away for a long time now and we’ve probably played a bit too much cricket but we will see how we go and I am sure the boys will go well in the next three matches and come home with a (series) win,” he was quoted as saying by ‘The Australian Associated Press’.

Siddle played in the World Twenty20 Championship, the Ashes, a seven-match one-day series in England, the Champions Trophy, the Champions League Twenty20 for Victoria before being called up for the seven-match series in India.

The pacer said his injury, which he picked up during the fourth one-dayer in Mohali, was not all that serious and he would be fit for the home Test series against West Indies later this month.

The paramilitary personnel would be pressed into service to provide security cover to the cricketers, while police was also considering air surveillance during the match.

“We are making all the arrangements for security of the players and the match successfully. A three-tier security measure has been made for the two teams’ practice sessions at the 20,000-seater stadium on Saturday,” Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) P C Saloi said.

“Players of both the teams will be brought from the airport on their arrival here under police escort. Security arrangements have been made and our forces with paramilitary personnel have been deployed in the two team hotels. CRPF and state police also have been sufficiently deployed at the venue,” he added.

Stating there was no specific security threat perception to the players or the stadium as of now, the SSP said, “Air surveillance would also be done if necessary.”

AC Milan have confirmed David Beckham will be returning to the Italian club.

Former England captain Beckham had been strongly linked with a second loan spell with the Rossoneri to improve his chances of making Fabio Capello’s World Cup squad.

Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani claimed last week an announcement was imminent - and it has been confirmed on the club’s official website this evening.

Beckham moved to the San Siro during Major League Soccer’s off-season last January, initially on a three-month loan deal, but impressed so much his stay was extended until the end of the Serie A campaign.

The 34-year-old returned to the Los Angeles Galaxy in the summer after helping Milan to fourth place in Serie A, with two goals in 18 league appearances.

Milan have announced a six-month deal on this occasion, meaning Beckham will remain in Italy up until the 2010 World Cup finals in South Africa.

AC Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani said on the club’s official website, www.acmilan.com: “We are very happy to see again David Beckham with the Rossoneri jersey after the splendid experience of last season.

“We are certain that this time in Europe will help the player take part in the next World Cup and to continue after his career in Los Angeles Galaxy, to whom we thank for their time.”

His first Serie A game this season could be against Genoa at the San Siro on January 6.

Galliani continued: “We are confident his loan spell will not only improve Milan, it will help the player to take part in the World Cup in South Africa and continue to enhance his career in North America with the LA Galaxy.

“We would like to thank the Galaxy and MLS for their co-operation and understanding.”

A statement from LA Galaxy read: “We have today completed the loan agreement of midfielder David Beckham to AC Milan, effective in January.

“Beckham remains under contract to the Galaxy and will play for the club throughout the MLS Cup play-offs, which continue on Sunday.

“In accordance with team and league regulations, details of the loan agreement were not released.”

Galaxy head coach and general manager Bruce Arena said: “We are pleased to finalise David’s loan to AC Milan and we look forward to his return to the Galaxy after the 2010 World Cup,”

Following the conclusion of the MLS season, Beckham and the rest of the Galaxy will travel to Germany for the club’s 2009 post-season tour.

He will officially join AC Milan on December 28 and will remain with the club throughout their season, which ends on May 16, before rejoining the Galaxy when the summer transfer window opens in July 2010.

Beckham joined the Galaxy in January 2007, making his debut in a friendly against Chelsea in July of that year.

In three seasons with the club, he has appeared in 41 MLS games, scoring seven goals.

He missed the first half of the 2009 MLS season while on loan to Milan, but returned to the Galaxy in July.

Beckham is clearly looking ahead to the World Cup, which begins in South Africa on June 11.

He said: “I need to give myself the best chance possible to make the World Cup squad and playing for Milan on loan will help me to do that.

“I genuinely enjoyed my time at Milan and I look forward to meeting the players and staff again.

“I’m thankful to Tim Leiweke and Bruce Arena for allowing me this opportunity.

“I’m committed to LA Galaxy and MLS in the long term and remain as passionate as ever about growing the game of soccer in America.

“I’m completely focused on ending this season on a high note with my club by winning the MLS Cup.”

This defeat not only allowed Australia to level the seven-match series 2-2 but also prolonged the hosts’ wait to become the number one ODI team in the world.

Chasing 251, India got off to a flier with Virender Sehwag (30 off 19 balls) looking eager to wrap up the issue and Sachin Tendulkar (40) going great guns.

But their undoing was no less spectacular as the middle and lower could not forge a single significant partnership and the team folded for 226 in 46.4 overs.

Earlier put into bat, Australia stitched together half-centuries from Ricky Ponting (52) and Cameron White (62) and cameos from Shane Watson (49) and Michael Hussey (40) to reach 250 before wilting in 49.2 overs.

India’s chase got off to a blazing start with Sehwag displaying the kind of power-hitting on which he has built his career around.

The first ball raced to the fence off his blade faster than it had arrived and it was a bad omen for Mitchell Johnson.

The hapless birthday boy copped three boundaries in his next over and an encore of the treatment meant the Australian spearhead had hemorrhaged 34 runs in his first three overs before Ponting spared further trauma by withdrawing him from attack.

It was too good to last for long and relief for Australia came soon when Sehwag fell to Doug Bollinger in the seventh over and Virat Kohli (10), replacing Gautam Gambhir, squandered yet another opportunity to impress, leaving India at 78 for two.

With Sachin Tendulkar in pursuit of yet another batting milestone — 47 runs separated him from the 17,000 mark when he walked out — and looking in good nick, the crowd had enough to look forward to till an Ashoka de Silva howler spoiled their party.

Fluent initially and aware of the imminent milestone as he approached it, Tendulkar was hit on the pad by an innocuous Nathan Hauritz delivery that was missing the leg stump but de Silva raised his dreaded finger to send groans across the chock-a-block stadium.

At 94 for three, captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni (26) and Yuvraj Singh (12) had a task uncannily similar to the one they had accomplished in the previous match in Delhi but this time their association was nipped in the bud by a Ricky Ponting direct throw that sent back Yuvraj.

Dhoni then became Bollinger’s third victim, Hauritz castled Suresh Raina (17) and Ravindra Jadeja (7) ran himself out, leaving India gasping at 177 for seven in the 39th over.

Down the order Harbhajan Singh’s 25-ball 35 — like the series opener in Vadodara — was entertaining but not clinching.

Earlier, fluent half-centuries from Ricky Ponting (52) and Cameron White (62) and brisk cameos from Shane Watson (49) and Michael Hussey (40) guided laid the perfect foundation for an imposing total before Australia ran out of steam and wilted in the end.

Going strong at 196 for three, Australia came unstuck in the 39th over, fumbling in the batting powerplay, which cost them four wickets earning just 27 runs, before eventually folding for a total that was far less than they would have anticipated.

Ashish Nehra (3/37) was pick of the Indian bowlers — Harbhajan also grabbed a couple of wickets — and he drew first blood in the eighth over when he struck Shaun Marsh (5) low and plumb.

Ponting, however, looked in sublime touch.

Dhoni unleashed Ishant Sharma, hoping the beanpole pacer would once again torment the Australian captain like he had done in the past but Ponting, not in a no mood to oblige, nonchalantly hit his nemesis over long-on for a neat six, following it with a boundary.

The duo had added 64 runs when Dhoni pressed Harbhajan Singh into service and collaborated with the spinner to remove Watson off Harbhajan’s first delivery.

Ponting didn’t allow the setback to bog him down and played with blithe abandon. One swept boundary off Harbhajan brought up his fifty but Ravindra Jadeja’s direct throw cut short his stay, much to Dhoni’s relief.

Back in the dressing room, Ponting, however, had the satisfaction of watching Hussey and White continuing the good work with some sensible cricket during their 73-run stand.

White smote Yuvraj over mid-wicket for a six before inflicting some damage on Ishan’t bowling figure.

In-form Hussey, on his part, negotiated the spinners with aplomb and once stepped out to hit Yuvraj over the ropes.

Hussey was looking good for his fifty when he holed out to Ishant, trying to hit Yuvraj out of the ground.

Australia lost White just after they had taken the batting powerplay and with Johnson doing precious nothing to enhance his all-rounder claim, Australia barely managed to reach the 250-mark.

Teams:

India: SR Tendulkar, V Sehwag, Yuvraj Singh, SK Raina, V Kohli, MS Dhoni*†, RA Jadeja, Harbhajan Singh, A Nehra, P Kumar, I Sharma.

Australia: SR Watson, SE Marsh, RT Ponting*, CL White, MEK Hussey, MC Henriques, MG Johnson, GA Manou†, NM Hauritz, PM Siddle, DE Bollinger.

The BCCI said a final decision on whether they play tomorrow would be taken on the morning of the game.

Tamil Nadu wicket-keeper batsman Dinesh Karthik has been brought in as cover for the duo.

“Dinesh Karthik will be joining the Indian team in Mohali,” BCCI secretary N Srinivasan said in a statement.

“Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir sustained injuries during the third match of the Hero Honda Cup 2009, played at Delhi on October 31. A final decision on their availability for the fourth match, to be played at Mohali on November 2 will be taken on the morning of the game,” the statement read.

India won last night’s match by six wickets to take a 2-1 lead in the series.

Although the BCCI did not elaborate on the injuries of the two openers, Sehwag had been hit on his foot by a Peter Siddle yorker in the eighth over which had him in pain, needing the physio’s attention.

Gambhir, on the other hand, was struck on the neck by a Ricky Ponting pull. The opener didn’t field for the rest of Australia’s innings after that.

Hopes damaged his right hamstring during the first ODI at Vadodara and will return to Brisbane to continue his recovery.

Lee’s elbow injury ruled him out of the series on Friday, a day after Paine broke a finger in the second match in Nagpur.

Yesterday the tourists suffered a six-wicket defeat in Delhi to go 2-1 down in the seven-match series, which continues in Mohali tomorrow.

Australia physiotherapist Kevin Sims said: “James has done everything he can with medical staff to try and make himself available for the remaining games of the tour of India.

“However, due to the compressed nature of this tour and his speed of recovery so far we feel now we have insufficient time to have James fully fit to take part in the remaining games.

“Therefore James will return to Australia where he will continue his rehabilitation.”

Super Selector: Start building your team for the India-Oz series

Australia have called up Victoria fast bowler Clinton McKay in place of Lee, starting from the fifth game at Hyderabad on Thursday.

They also confirmed New South Wales all-rounder Moises Henriques, who made his debut yesterday, will remain with the squad for the remainder of the series.

Chairman of selectors Andrew Hilditch said: “Clinton is a young, promising bowler who performed well at interstate level last season and has recent very good form for Victoria in the Airtel Champions League Twenty20 in India.

“He will be very well suited to Indian conditions and we believe he is another young player who benefit from the experience of being in the Australian team set-up during this tour. We also feel he has the ability to perform well at the international level.

“With Moises having played in the last ODI game and James Hopes going home, Moises will now remain with the squad in India for the duration of the series.”

Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan expressed his desire to perform at the opening ceremony of next year’s Commonwealth Games.

Despite the controversy-marred build-up, the Indian filmstar said the Games would be successful.

“God willing, I think India will hold a successful Commonwealth Games. I am confident about that,” Khan told reporters on the sidelines of the Airtel Delhi Half Marathon.

Khan said he would love to perform during the opening ceremony of the event at the Jawahar Lal Nehru Stadium and would also come to watch some of the sporting events.

“I would love to perform (in the opening ceremony). It really sounds great. I will come during CWG. Get ready Dilliwalo,” he said amid loud cheers from fans.

Khan said it was heartening to see such a large number of people braving the early morning chill to participate in the half marathon.

“I love you Delhiites, you were wonderful and I am overwhelmed,” he said.

Khan also urged regular organisation of half marathons in other parts of the country to promote sports and said health permitting, he would participate in next year’s half marathon.

“I have never participated in a marathon, but I would definitely love to do so. When I’ll feel fit, then I’ll come,” Khan said.

“Sports is most important after education and we should promote it to the highest level. I love sports and want such events to be organised regularly. During my school days, I was very active in sports,” he said.

Another Bollywood actor Rahul Bose said with every passing year, Delhi half marathon is getting bigger.

“This marathon has established itself as a brand and that is recognisable. Through this concept, you are also helping deprived and disadvantaged people of the society in a novel way,” Bose said.

On the eve of India’s third ODI against Australia, Dhoni threw his weight behind Harbhajan, who has been lacklustre with the ball of late.

“For sure, he is not at his best,” Dhoni told reporters after the practice sessions.

“But considering the kind of player he is, for someone who loves challenges, I think he is just one game away from bouncing back.

“We are not worried about players who have so much of international experience,” Dhoni said.

His assertions notwithstanding, the India captain had a long session with Harbhajan in the nets where the off-spinner was asked to pitch his deliveries on a stump placed at the good length area.

Subsequently, Harbhajan was seen bowling to a single wicket with Virender Sehwag facing him.

Dhoni said it was a regular kind of practice.

“It’s a simple practice, which we often do with bowlers bowling to a single wicket,” he said.

While all the Indian players sweated out in the two-hour practice session, Ashish Nehra stayed away from action, playing football and doing stretching instead.

Dhoni, however, assured there was no issue with the left-arm pacer’s fitness.

“This was an optional session. It’s a long seven-match series and if an individual wants rest, it’s fine. He wanted rest and so did not take part,” Dhoni said.

Tomorrow’s match could also see Sachin Tendulkar reaching the 17,000 ODI runs — he is just 79 runs away from the mark — and Dhoni said it would be a momentous occasion.

“It would be a milestone indeed. He is such a great batsman. Whenever he walks out, we all expect big scores. He not only scores himself but also guides his partner,” Dhoni said.

Tendulkar, like Harbhajan, has not been at his best either and one notion is that the senior batsman should allow the Delhi duo of Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir to open the innings and come down at number three.

Dhoni, however, said he was fine with Tendulkar and Sehwag opening.

“I’m happy with the opening pair,” he said.

Dhoni was also happy in his floater’s role in the batting order, saying he was not in favour of unnecessary tinkering, especially when the team was doing well.

“Every individual has a different role and I’m doing well in the floater’s role. Tendulkar and Sehwag opening the innings, Gautam (Gambhir) at number three — all are doing well in their respective roles. (There is) no need to change when the team is doing well,” he explained.

Dhoni was sensational in the previous match in Nagpur where his swashbuckling century fashioned India’s emphatic 99-run win over the visitors.

Asked to rank the innings among his tons, Dhoni said, “It’s difficult to rank since I have got just five centuries.

But it was special of course.

“We needed to maintain a good run rate and I’m excited about running between wickets there. I was batting with Gautam after a long time and we converted one or one-and-half into twos in such a big field,” he said.

According to him, the win in Nagpur has brought back momentum but the team needed to see every match as a fresh challenge.

“First match we lost because we didn’t bat or bowl well.

But we took the positives from that match, like Praveen Kumar and Harbhajan’s batting. The second match we won, bowling and batting much better while our fielding also looked much improved.

“But we have to start from scratch in every game. Two matches gone, now it has become a five-match series for us and though win brings in confidence, we have to start afresh,” he said.

On the Ferozeshah Kotla track, Dhoni predicted ball would keep low and it would not be a run-feast tomorrow.

Injury-ravaged Australia’s campaign in the ongoing one-day series against India received a body blow with pace spearhead Brett Lee ruled out because of an elbow injury.

The 32-year-old would return home midway through the series to consult specialists, the team management said in a statement.

Lee was unable to complete his 10-over spell during the first ODI against India in Baroda and was not available for selection in the second match of the series in Nagpur.

Today, he had a light practice at the Ferozeshah Kotla and captain Ricky Ponting said he was 85 percent fit.

“Brett’s elbow injury has not responded as well to treatment as we would have liked and therefore a decision has been made to send him home to consult with an elbow specialist,” team physiotherapist Kevin Sims said.

“With an accurate diagnosis we can determine how best to manage the injury and give Brett the best chance of being available for selection at the beginning of the Australian summer,” he added.

“Cricket Australia’s National Selection Panel are working through the process of naming a replacement player and this will be advised in due course,” the statement read.

Australia arrived here without Michael Clarke, Callum Ferguson and Brad Haddin. Their second choice stumper Tim Paine also fractured his finger in the last match in Nagpur to return home, while his replacement Graham Manou is expected to arrive today.

Lee had a sore elbow which kept him out of action, while a hamstring injury has sidelined all-rounder James Hopes.

The series is currently level 1-1 with the third match scheduled here tomorrow.