Ricky Ponting immediately went on the front foot when he arrived in India on Saturday, declaring Sachin Tendulkar would be vulnerable in next week's third Test because of his scant preparation.

Ponting admitted his own task would be even tougher in the fourth match of the series, when the Australian captain is likely to return from a broken thumb and go straight into the toughest Test cricket there is.

Tendulkar was declared fit for the third Test at Nagpur, starting Tuesday, by team physiotherapist Andrew Leipus after a net session at the MIG Club.

"He's been a bit of a thorn in our side in the past," said Ponting of Tendulkar, who averages 57.71 against the world champions.

"But I'm not sure how good his preparation will be, either. He seems to be limited in his preparation and the last thing he or India would want is for him to go into the game 70 or 80 per cent fit. It's very hard to bat here for long periods of time if you're not 100 per cent fit.

"For someone like him, growing up in these conditions, it's probably not as much of a worry as for someone like me. As long as he has enough work and is not being hindered ... you have to make sure you are fit enough to bat for a day.

"That will be the biggest challenge he will be facing."

Indian media was going ga-ga over Tendulkar's return, portraying him as the saviour of a series that India trails 1-0.

There will be suffocating levels of expectation when he walks out to bat at Nagpur.

"There will be a lot of pressure on him coming back into the side," said Ponting, who arrived in Mumbai early this morning and travelled with the Australian side to Nagpur on their early evening flight.

Brought to you by AAP © 2024 AAP