SACHIN Tendulkar has flown back to India from the cricket World Cup following the death of his father but team officials said on Wednesday they were confident he will rejoin the team. Brijesh Patel from the Indian squad said: “He was in a state of shock. Our thoughts are with him and his family.” He said Tendulkar, regarded as the best batsman in the world, may miss one or two matches. “I’m confident, at least, that he will be back for our game against Sri Lanka on May 26. We have had to play without him before and done well, and we will do it again – we will just have to put this behind us,” he said. The 26-year-old was scheduled to open the batting in India’s match against Zimbabwe at Leicester later on Wednesday. They then take on Kenya on May 23 in Bristol, followed by the Sri Lankan tie at Taunton. Another defeat would be a major blow for the team’s hopes of reaching the second round of the tournament. India were beaten by favourites South Africa in their first match.