Indian batting sensation Sachin Tendulkar may have to pull out of the Australian Test series next month due to an elbow injury.

Tendulkar had earlie pulled out of the Irani Cup from the Rest of India squad.

"He is not playing the Irani Trophy and has been advised a week of rehabilitation," said BCCI spokesman Ratnakar Shetty.

The four-match series against Australia kicks off in Bangalore on 9 October.

Tendulkar, speaking to the media earlier this week had said the rivalry against Australia was now more bitter than the rivalry against traditional rivals Pakistan.

"All the series we have played in the recent past, from 2001, have all been close ones," he commented.

"As we all know, (Australia) is the number one team in the world. They will come here with serious force. They still have a lot of experienced players in the team. It is not that it is a completely transformed side with no senior players in the team."