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Injury lay-off frustrating: Tendulkar

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Batting ace Sachin Tendulkar said the Indian team should not be bothered by the recent defeats and "stick to the basics" to rediscover their winning touch.

"Every game is a new game. It is important for the players to stick to the basics. Couple of bad games should not worry you," Tendulkar said ahead of the second NatWest Challenge one-day cricket international against England.

The Little Master has been ruled out of the three-match series after the elbow injury, that forced him to miss the tri-series in Holland, failed to heal in time.

For Tendulkar, whose availability for the ICC Champions Trophy will depend on him clearing a fitness test on the sidelines of the third and final match against England on September 5, it has been one of the rare layoffs of his 15-year career since he made his debut as a 15-year-old in 1989.

"It's frustrating. I left Mumbai with different plans, but was not prepared for this," Tendulkar told Star Sports.

"It is a freak injury. I have never experienced this kind of pain earlier in my life. The pain started in Holland, don't know how it happened."

India have had a poor run in this season with defeats in Asia Cup in Sri Lanka as well as the Holland tri-series. India also suffered a seven-wicket thrashing in the opening match of the NatWest Challenge on Wednesday.