Tendulkar recovery 'much needed'

India's Sachin Tendulkar admitted his man-of-the-series performance against West Indies came at just the right time with the World Cup looming.

Tendulkar waited 13 games to score his 41st one-day century, with just 248 runs in 10 games before this series.

"This was much needed," said the 33-year-old after his unbeaten 100 in Vadodara secured a 3-1 series victory.

"I was not converting decent scores into big ones. To do it in a decisive match like this was very satisfying."

"We were not unduly worried about Sachin - maybe everyone else can stop worrying now"

Rahul Dravid

Tendulkar, who has a world record 14,728 one-day runs from 378 matches, has been sparked back into form by a move to the middle order.

India look likely to keep him in that position for another four-match series against Sri Lanka at home next month before heading to the Caribbean on 1 March.

"If you have players who can do this sort of thing, you're going to win a lot of games, no doubt about it," said captain Rahul Dravid.

"Sachin showed why he is a great player, why he can play in different conditions, why he can adapt. His innings was truly special and one of the best I've seen from him

"We were not unduly worried about Sachin. Maybe everyone else can stop worrying now so we can have a bit of peace."

Tendulkar will be appearing in his fifth World Cup tournament when cricket's showpiece event opens two weeks later.

"Every cricketer dreams of doing well at the World Cup and I am no different," he said. "I hope I can help India win this one."