Sachin Tendulkar to play ODIs against Pakistan and England

Quelling rumours of an impending retirement, Sachin Tendulkar has told selectors he is available to play the upcoming one-day series against Pakistan and England, according to a TV channel. 

The chorus for Tendulkar's retirement grew because of his extremely poor form with the bat in the four-Test series against England, in which he averaged only 18.66. 

The channel claimed Tendulkar, 39, had had a discussion with chairman of selectors Sandeep Patil. The selectors, reportedly, are in agreement with Tendulkar on the issue. 

Tendulkar has played ODIs only infrequently since India's World Cup triumph in April 2011. "I am not surprised with the decision. It's good for him. If he needs to keep playing at the end of the Australia series, he needs to be in form and ODIs are the best way for him to get in form," former India skipper Sourav Ganguly told the channel, 

"If he needs to continue, he needs to play all formats of the game and not have a start-stop career. Critics don't matter. It's what selectors think and the BCCI thinks. Sachin is too big for everyone. 

"He has the ability and the right to call the shots. I don't think