It's Tendulkar call to play or not in final: Robin Singh
The suspense over Sachin Tendukar's availability for the IPL final against Chennai Super Kings continues with Mumbai Indians coach Robin Singh saying it's the captain himself who has to take a final call.
The suspense over Sachin Tendukar's availability for the IPL final against Chennai Super Kings continues with Mumbai Indians coach Robin Singh saying it's the captain himself who has to take a final call tomorrow.
Tendulkar, who led the Mumbai team to final for the the first time in three attempts, split the webbing of his right hand during the semifinal against Royal Challengers Bangalore.
"We will know about his injury tomorrow. He is coming but I don't think he will practice (today). It's up to him. I think he is very keen on playing. It is his call again," said Robin at the MCA's Bandra-Kurla Complex ground.
"(I) can't tell you the exact state of his injury. It is on the last two fingers. We have done very well and so it is really his call. The decision is his. I can't ask him to play.
"The fact is it is the final and he is someone who, if fit, will give his best shot to play the final," he added.
Robin said they were confident of winning the title even if the master batsman is unable to play.
"If he is not ready to play we have made alternate options as well. We have plans in our place. We are quite confident whether he plays or not," the former India all rounder said.
Robin though said there was no doubt the availability of hard-hitting batsman Kieron Pollard, who was seen limping during the semi-final.
"He is fine. There are no issues," the MI coach said.
Robin was not worried about the nature of the strip.
"We are doing well with fast bowlers. Wicket is not a concern to me. As far as we are concerned we have got to the finals with whatever combination we have played. Our attack has been based on fast bowlers. We have done whatever necessary to win.
"We have played very good cricket. In this format of the game, everything is important. It is not just two aspects. We saw in the last match, Deccan Chargers was to get 143 but (still) they lost," he pointed out.
Robin said the hard preparations before the event did a world of good to the confidence of their players.
"We had pretty good preparations. The young guys have delivered exceptionally well. The senior cricketers, as well as the international cricketers, have come to the forefront and delivered when it mattered.
"Obviously, people like Sachin, Zak (Zaheer Khan), Harbhajan have lent their support, as well as the owners and the management," he observed.
