Sachin's IPL team named Mumbai Indians
Mumbai, India - March 8th, 2008
The Indian Premier League's Mumbai-based franchise has been named their team 'Mumbai Indians'. Sachin Tendulkar, the team's icon player, will captain the side, which also includes Sanath Jayasuriya and Shaun Pollock.
"Mumbai Indians is a nice combination of senior players and youngsters, so I think we all will be looking forward to go out there, put up a perfect unit and perform well," Tendulkar said after unveiling the team's logo at a promotional event in Mumbai. "Twenty20 cricket is hugely popular everywhere and I have no doubt the IPL will be a hit."
Tendulkar said he was looking forward to open the batting with Jayasuriya: the last time he did so was back in 1998, while playing for the Rest of the World XI against MCC at Lord's in a charity match held in memory of Princess Diana.
The team logo for the Mumbai Indians has the Sudarshan Chakra with the team's name engraved in it. The team's colour - blue - is the same as that of the Indian national side.
The franchise, owned by Mukesh Ambani's Reliance Industries Ltd, was bought for US$ 111.9 million, making it the most expensive of the eight franchises. The team has three Sri Lankans in Jayasuriya, Lasith Malinga and Dilhara Fernando, while Pollock and Loots Bosman are the other overseas recruits. Robin Uthappa and Harbhajan Singh are the other India nationals in the side, which has promising local players in Abhishek Nayar and Ajinkya Rahane.
Dispelling fitness concerns that he may not be available for the opening Test against South Africa
later this month, Sachin Tendulkar today (March 8) said there was no doubt he will play in the match.
"I have played the last match (second final against Australia at Brisbane on March 4). As far as I am concerned I am fit. I have not said anything before on this. I will certainly play against South Africa. There is no doubt," the champion batsman said today.
Tendulkar made the statement after being announced as the captain of the "Mumbai Indians" team for the Cricket Board-promoted Indian Premier League to be held from April 18 and also unveiled the logo of the team at a promotional event here.
Doubts over availability of Tendulkar for the first Test, starting on March 26, arose following a fitness assessment report on various players submitted to the BCCI by outgoing physio John Gloster. Gloster, in his report about Tendulkar at the end of the team's victorious campaign in the tri-series in Australia, has advised the champion batsman two weeks' rest. Gloster has said Tendulkar had "R adductor tendonosi (enthesopathy) with deep hip flexor involvement" and "requires minimum two weeks' rest" from aggravating (pain inducing) activities.
The physio, who has quit his job, has also said another two weeks' rest would be required to control the malaise if he "allows this condition to settle into a chronic phase".
