Even if he says he's had enough of Twenty20 cricket it seems that the shortest version of the game is calling out to Sachin Tendulkar. After opting out of the squad for the two T20 internationals, Tendulkar will still end up playing the hit and giggle version in New Zealand.
Tendulkar has been drafted in to play in Friday's International Masters Twenty20 match between the New Zealand and Australian Masters teams at the Westpac stadium. The game is being promoted as the curtain raiser to the second T20 international between India and New Zealand.
When Tendulkar ruled himself out of the two T20 internationals he had stated categorically that he did not want to affect the 'balance' of the team that had done so well. On Friday he will only strengthen the NZCPA Masters and will get a close look at the Mumbai Indians' latest singing - paceman Kyle Mills who is playing in the game in a bid to prove his fitness.
If you think it strange that an Indian is playing for the NZPCA side then think about the fact that another - Dinesh Karthik - will be playing for the ACA Masters team.
The game will allow both Tendulkar and the reserve wicketkeeper to get some gameplay ahead of the ODI series beginning in Napier on March 3. Gary Kirsten, India's coach, was understandably happy at how things had panned out. “This is a great opportunity for Tendulkar and Karthik to have a few hits. We were happy to work with the Players Association to bring them in to the Masters teams." The International Masters match will start at the Westpac stadium at 2.30 pm (7.00 am IST).
{{/usCountry}}The game will allow both Tendulkar and the reserve wicketkeeper to get some gameplay ahead of the ODI series beginning in Napier on March 3. Gary Kirsten, India's coach, was understandably happy at how things had panned out. “This is a great opportunity for Tendulkar and Karthik to have a few hits. We were happy to work with the Players Association to bring them in to the Masters teams." The International Masters match will start at the Westpac stadium at 2.30 pm (7.00 am IST).
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