Hoping to avail of Sachin Tendulkar's services in the third Test against Australia in Nagpur next week, India skipper Sourav Ganguly expressed confidence that the batting genius's three-month lay-off would not have any bearing on his batting.

"I don't think the lay-off will be a problem. He is a cricketer par excellence. He will be able to get back into rhythm straightaway," Ganguly told newspersons in Kolkata on Wednesday.

He said he has not spoken to Tendulkar, who is recuperating from a painful tennis elbow, for the last two-three days. "So, I don't know the latest situation pertaining to his fitness."

Ganguly had during the past two days expressed optimism about Tendulkar taking the field in the Nagpur Test, beginning October 26.

Tendulkar missed the Holland tri-series, NatWest Trophy and Champions Trophy due to the injury on his left elbow. He is now recuperating under the supervision of Dr Anant Joshi and team physio Andrew Leipus.

On the reasons for persisting with wicketkeeper Parthiv Patel despite his poor performance in the Chennai Test, Ganguly said, "He has been keeping well generally. Yes, he did not do well at Chennai. But, then, anybody can have a bad game."

Asked whether he would prefer to have Yuvraj Singh or Mohammed Kaif in the final eleven for the third Test, Ganguly said, "I'll think about it once I reach Nagpur after the Durga Puja."

He also disagreed with Aussie pacer Glen McGrath's view that Australia would have won the Chennai Test had rain not played spoilsport on the final day.

"The situation was such that the game could have gone either way. Moreover, it is next to impossible to make such predictions in cricket. I'm not bothered with what McGrath has claimed," Ganguly said.

He said he is looking forward to soaking in the puja spirit to the full in the next three days.

He is scheduled to leave for Nagpur on October 23.