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SACHIN TENDULKAR's fitness overshadows everything else in the build-up to India's second Test against Pakistan starting here today - even the plan to bring in local snake charmers to protect the players.

Tendulkar, who pulled a muscle in his lower back during his century in the Madras game, was still feeling the effects at practice yesterday.

His taciturn ``I will be OK'' has not completely convinced the Indian selectors and he will have another trial before the match.

The Indians know that they will be taking a risk if he plays and breaks down, because going into the game with an injury means he cannot have a runner.

But Tendulkar is such a key player that they almost cannot afford to be without him if India are to avenge their 12-run defeat last weekend.

He was the only batsman to neutralise the threat posed by Pakistan off-spinner Saqlain Mushtaq and the tourists are hoping that leg-spinner Mushtaq Ahmed recovers from his back problems in time.

Raj Singh, the Indian Cricket Board president, said: ``I have never known a player so committed to the game in the 25 years I have been associated with it. If it is humanly possible Tendulkar will play.''

India's coach, Anshuman Gaekwad, said Tendulkar was feeling better after two days' rest ``and it will be up to the player to decide. He is the best judge of his fitness. At the moment he is quite hopeful.''

This is the ground where the first Test was to have been played until Hindu extremists climbed the walls after dark four weeks ago and dug up the pitch in protest at Pakistan's visit. Another wicket has been prepared and security at the ground is high.

Something like 10,000 police and soldiers are on stand-by for the the game - along with 16 snake charmers specially hired from a country area.

The Delhi central head of police explained: ``A threat had been issued that snakes could be let loose. The snake charmers will be ready for any eventuality.''

The chief snake charmer inspected the stadium with the police and decided two men, complete with their magical musical instruments, should be positioned at the front of each section of seating to ward off any reptiles crawling on to the ground.