Sachin Tendulkar has been replaced by Sunil Gavaskar.

Sort of.

India suffered a massive blow when Tendulkar was ruled out of the first Test because of his elbow injury but announced former run machine Gavaskar, whose name adorns the trophy with Allan Border, had arrived in town to start working with the squad as a batting consultant.

Australian captain Adam Gilchrist said he had bittersweet feelings about Tendulkar's absence.

"It's not a disappointment, believe me," said Gilchrist before doing a complete back-flip.

"In all honesty it is disappointing because the game is a better place with Sachin in it.

"We weren't sure whether he was going to play or not.

"I suspected he may play but obviously he's not ready.

"But Sachin - all due respect to Sachin and I hope I'm not tempting fate here - over the last two series has not been the one who has really done the damage to us.

"He's had some remarkable innings in there but over the course of the series' it's been VVS Laxman and Rahul Dravid who have really hurt us.

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