Tendulkar set for IPL debut?

By OUR CORRESPONDENT

Mumbai, May 11: Mumbai Indians captain Sachin Tendulkar is likely to play in the match against Chennai Super Kings on May 14 at the Wankhede Stadium, team coach Lalchand Rajput revealed after a practice session at the Bandra Kurla Complex here on Sunday.

The wait for Tendulkar seems to be nearing an end. On the master blaster’s availability for the next match Rajput said, "He will be playing. We are looking forward to Sanath Jayasuriya and Tendulkar opening."

"The last four matches will be the most crucial for the teams. Those teams that execute their plans, handle the pressure and keep their nerves cool will come through," added Rajput.

The Indians’ fielding has not been up to the mark and a few run outs being missed are a worry for the coach. He said, "We are missing a lot of run outs and are not able to hit the stumps. Also the extra wide balls that we have bowled need to be cut down."

The Indians are looking to make better use of the bouncer as well. "We are trying to use the bouncer as an option. It can serve as a good ball and also a dot ball. If we can put that to proper use it could be of great help," felt the coach.

"Today we mainly concentrated on letting the batsmen hit in the ‘V’ so that they get a bigger range of shots. As for the bowlers, we made them bowl a mix of yorkers and slow deliveries which could help control the run rate," said Rajput.

Rajput also knows it will be a tough call to pick an XI once Tendulkar is back. "In the last few matches we have given new players chances and they have proved their selection. But it is going to be very difficult to select the final playing XI."