Sachin Tendulkar says his recovery from a shoulder injury is on track and he aims to get fit for the triangular series in Sri Lanka in August.
India's ace batsman was forced to miss the current series in the West Indies after failing to fully recover following surgery on his troublesome left shoulder.
"It's much better now, the doctors are happy with my progress and hopefully by the Sri Lanka series I should be fit," Tendulkar told Reuters on Sunday at the British Formula One Grand Prix.
"I'm trying to build up the strength and I'm planning to play a few exhibition games here (in England) where there's not too much pressure to have a nice introduction back into cricket."
Tendulkar has not played since the final Test defeat against England in Mumbai in March.
The latest setback follows a string of injuries that have kept the talismanic Indian out of the game for long periods.
Last year the world's most prolific one-day batsman was sidelined for six months after needing surgery for tennis elbow.
He is still unsure exactly how he acquired his current injury: "The doctors said I must have fallen on it," said Tendulkar.
"I want to be on the cricket field but it's one of those unfortunate decisions where you are forced to be off the field."
India travel to Sri Lanka in August for a triangular series also involving South Africa.
