The availability of Tendulkar for their fourth home match of this season gives Mumbai Indians the edge over a struggling Kings XI Punjab at the Wankhede Stadium on Sunday.
The availability of Sachin Tendulkar for their fourth home match of this season gives Mumbai Indians the edge over a struggling Kings XI Punjab at the Wankhede Stadium here on Sunday.
Tendulkar has been missing action since being hit on his right index finger by a Doug Bollinger delivery on the opening night of this season two-and-a-half weeks ago.
Mumbai Indians have had a mixed tournament, having won three of their five matches. They are currently in the bottom half of the points table due to a poor net run-rate (-0.088).
Tendulkar’s availability for Sunday’s game was confirmed by head coach Robin Singh on Saturday. Tendulkar, who looked comfortable at the nets on Saturday, was hit on the injured finger once. He walked out immediately, but took part in the fielding drills.
“He’s (Tendulkar) fine to play and is playing tomorrow,” Singh said. He insisted that there was nothing to worry about the incident on Saturday. “He just got a small hit on the finger. He’s playing tomorrow.”
Tendulkar’s return was the happiest news in the Mumbai Indians camp, which suffered a blow when key paceman Lasith Malinga had to return to Sri Lanka to receive treatment for a sore back. Singh said that Malinga is expected to join the team next week. The Sri Lankan had missed the game against Delhi Daredevils last Monday. In Malinga’s absence, Munaf Patel, the team’s leading wicket-taker with 10 sticks, will shoulder the responsibility.
Kings XI Punjab have not had a good season so far, and to add to their woes, captain Adam Gilchrist is nursing a hamstring injury sustained while stealing a single against Kolkata Knight Riders four days ago.
Gilchrist is unlikely to play on Sunday. Australian David Hussey, who had led the side against Bangalore, will continue to don the captain’s armband.
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