Sachin Tendulkar, who has missed the first two Tests against Australia due to an elbow injury, is to leave the Indian squad and return to Mumbai for treatment on Friday.

Tendulkar, out of action since August due to tennis elbow, has been a part of the Indian squad but was ruled out of the second Test, which started in Madras on Thursday.

"The matter was discussed with the team management and it was decided that Tendulkar should return to Mumbai for his treatment," said Karunakaran Nair, secretary of the Indian board.

India, 1-0 down in the series, are hoping their leading batsman will be fit for the third Test starting in Nagpur on October 26. The fourth and final Test will be played at his home town, Mumbai, early next month.

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