Tendulkar's return brings stability to the top order: Shaun Pollock - Cricket News Update
Mumbai Indians' coach, Shaun Pollock, said on Tuesday that the return of Master Blaster Sachin Tendulkar has brought stability to their top-order batting.
Speaking to the media reporters on the eve of Mumbai’s crucial match against Kings XI Punjab, to be played at Punjab Cricket Association (PCA) stadium, Mohali on Wednesday, April 25, 2012, the South African hoped the iconic India batsman will play a great
knock in the return-leg fixture.
"No doubt Sachin brings with him a wealth of experience,” said Shaun Pollock at the pre-match press conference in Mohali on Tuesday evening.
“He brings stability at the top. It's his birthday today and hopefully, we can expect a great knock from him tomorrow," he added further.
Sachin Tendulkar, the legendary Indian batsman who turned 39 yesterday, missed four of Mumbai’s seven outings so far this season with a finger injury he had sustained during the tournament's curtain raiser, earlier this month. In the IPLV opener against
defending champions Chennai Super Kings, Tendulkar was hit on right-hand by a rising delivery off Doug Bollinger and subsequently missed MI’s next four games against Pune Warriors, Deccan Chargers, Rajasthan Royals and Delhi Daredevils.
In the absence of Tendulkar, the MI selectors tried out Ambati Rayudu and Tirumalasetti Suman to open for them alongside explosive South African import Richard Levi, but both of them failed to impress.
The veteran batsman, who relinquished Mumbai Indians’ captaincy ahead of the fifth season, made a comeback to the side in Mumbai’s previous game against the same Punjab outfit, at home. Tendulkar scored 23 runs during the six-wicket loss to KXIP.
The 38-year-old former South Africa all-rounder said that history of Twenty20 cricket shows that the top four batsmen in any line-up take the onus of batting.
Mumbai Indians' bowling has also failed to click in the last couple of games. Their spearhead pacer, Lasith Malinga, is out of the contest with back spasms and Pollock said that the side missed his services in the previous match.
Pollock also expressed confidence in an out of form Harbhajan Singh, who has so far claimed only one wicket this season.
"He (Harbhajan) is a good bowler and his time will come. I am sure he will come into his own," said the South African.