THE LONG wait of Sachin Tendulkar’s fans, his team Mumbai Indians and other Indian Premier League (IPL) teams has now come to end. On Monday (May 12), the player declared himself fully fit to play. Mumbai Indians’ icon player and captain, Tendulkar, who has not played a competitive match since March-end due to a groin injury, told the media that he is ready to play his first IPL match against Chennai Super Kings at Wankhede stadium in Mumbai on May 14.
Following a practice session under lights, Tendulkar told reporters, “Yes, I will be playing the match on May 14. I feel very comfortable. It has been tough and disappointing to have missed the two tests against South Africa and the first seven IPL ties.”
“It has been hard work, with help from the physio and masseuse,” he added.
The little master was looking quite satisfied with the performance of makeshift captain Shaun Pollock. Tendulkar said that although Pollock had done a commendable job as a captain and turned the team’s fortunes around after continuous defeats in the first four matches, he would still be taking the captaincy as he is fit. “Shaun Pollock was the makeshift captain and has done a terrific job but I will be captaining the side,” Tendulkar said. He further added that he will open the innings for Mumbai Indians with Sri Lanka’s hard-hitting opener Sanath Jayasuriya against Chennai.
Tendulkar refused to comment on off-spinner Harbhajan Singh’s ban from the IPL for slapping S Sreesanth. He merely said, “It is a past chapter. Let’s put it behind and look ahead.”
About the Mumbai Indians’ past performances, especially the first four lost matches, Tendulkar said that the first two games were very close but in the final moments they turned in the opposition’s favour, while in the third and the fourth match the team did not perform as expected. Meanwhile, on the changing fortune of the team – about the three match winning streak, Tendulkar said that the key to success was the ability to take early wickets.
Tendulkar was very confident of getting the wholesome support from the local crowd at the Wankhede Stadium. “The crowd has always been a constant support for us and like Shaun has said earlier, it acts as the twelfth man for us,” said Tendulkar. About the rivals Chennai Super Kings, Tendulkar said, “They are a tough side. There will be plenty of talking done in the team before the match, it will be a question of implementing those.”
One of the famous teams of IPL, Mumbai Indians were looking helpless and unorganised in th absence of Tendulkar. After four back-to-back defeats, three victories in a row brought the hope back for the team to stay in the competition. Now that Tendulkar is back and all set to play in the team’s next match, his presence would surely pump new energy in the team members. Tendulkar’s comeback is not a reason for celebration for Mumbai Indians only, the cricket lovers will also get the excellent opportunity to see some classy shots from the master blaster in the coming matches.
source: http://www.merinews.com/catFull.jsp?articleID=133946
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