Thursday, May 8, 2008

Tendulkar hoping to play May 14 IPL match

Eager to make his debut in the ongoing Indian Premier League Twenty20 tournament, after missing seven matches because of a groin injury, Sachin Tendulkar said on Wednesday he is hopeful turning out for the Mumbai Indians' team when it takes on Chennai Super Kings on May 14.

Watching his teammates fight it out with Rajasthan Royals in Wednesday's IPL tie in Mumbai, the home team's regular skipper, however, said he will take the field only if fully fit.

"I can tell you roughly that I'm targetting the next match," Tendulkar said.

"If I'm in the middle, I should be able to compete; for if I'm not able to compete, I'll be letting down the team," said the ace batsman from Mumbai.

Tendulkar also gave the thumbs up to the IPL, dubbing it the biggest event ever in the history of cricket.

"Without a doubt (this is the biggest event in cricket's history). It has taken the game virtually to all the households in the world. If cricket is looking forward to go global, this is the format. It's a three-hour entertainment, which the entire family can watch together," he said.

Tendulkar believes tournaments like the IPL have the potential to bring in new audience.

"Earlier, people wanted to watch a match but found it difficult to devote the entire day. I think Twenty20 is also bringing families together. I mean, how many times you otherwise see all the family members watching a cricket match together?"

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