/world sport
(CNN) -- India cricket star Sachin Tendulkar has pulled out of the Olympic torch relay in New Delhi, just a day before the event.
Tendulkar did not want to risk his groin injury ahead of the start of the IPL.
Tendulkar said on Wednesday that a groin injury would prevent him taking part.
"I received an invitation from Indian Olympic Association to run with the Olympic torch. I am honored at being invited, but I'll not be able to participate in the relay," Tendulkar told the Associated Press, adding that he withdrew on the advice of his physiotherapist.
He is the second high profile Indian sportsman to pull out of the torch relay.
The captain of the national football team, Bhaichung Bhutia, withdrew earlier this month, citing his support of Tibetan groups protesting against China's crackdown on their homeland.
Tendulkar, 34, needs just 172 more runs to become the highest run-scorer in Test cricket, but was forced to miss the last two Tests of the recent three-match series against South Africa due to his groin injury.
But he is scheduled to lead the Mumbai franchise in the Indian Premier League, a lucrative Twenty20 competition which begins later this week.
Massive security arrangements have been made for the torch relay in India and the route shortened in the wake of protests in a number of countries over Tibet and human rights issues in China. E-mail to a friend 
Copyright 2008 CNN. All rights reserved.This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Associated Press contributed to this report.
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