Harbhajan Singh will lead Mumbai Indians in IPL-V after Sachin Tendulkar expressed the desire to relinquish captaincy.
The off-spinner, who led Mumbai Indians to title triumph in the Champions League last season, revealed here on Monday that Tendulkar had requested the team-management relief from captaincy a couple of days ago to focus on his cricket.
“Tendulkar is the boss. He had a tough last six to eight months and wants to enjoy his cricket. We will have to concede that much to him. We want him to score a lot of runs.
“Even when he is not captain, his inputs are extremely valuable. Tendulkar was with the team during the Champions League but did not play because of injury. But his suggestions played a key role in the team's title victory,” Harbhajan said.
Explosive side
He described Mumbai Indians as an explosive side with plenty of options and match-winners. Looking at IPL-V's inaugural match — Mumbai Indians versus holder Chennai Super Kings — Harbhajan said, “It will be a match-up between the two best sides in the competition.”
The off-spinner, however, looked beyond the opening duel. “It is not only about starting the race well, but the important thing will be to finish the race on a winning note. We have the team to win the tournament.”
Harbhajan said Mumbai Indians had tried to cover all the bases this time around. This included signing up wicketkeeper-batsman Dinesh Karthik. “We needed a specialist wicketkeeper who could also bat at any position. Karthik is the best wicketkeeper-batsman in the country after Dhoni.”
The experienced off-spinner conceded CSK was a formidable force at home but said his side had confidence and belief going into the contest and the tournament.
Harbhajan had fond memories of Chepauk where he orchestrated a remarkable 2-1 triumph for India over Australia in the gripping Test series of 2001. “That was where it all began for me. That was one of the greatest moments of my career. I want to play for India again. That is why I am playing cricket. I want to win my place back in Team India,” said Harbhajan.
Challenge
CSK off-spinner R. Ashwin felt the coming edition would be a challenging one for the side. “As the defending champion, the pressure will be on us. There are some new signings but some of the players are injured or are returning from fitness concerns.
This is the end of the season as well for several international cricketers. All the cricket they played during this period could have an impact on them during the tournament as well. It will be an interesting season,” he said.
Ashwin said he would pass on his knowledge about the conditions at Chepauk to left-arm spinning all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja who has been roped in by CSK.
He also said, “Shadab Jakati, the other left-arm spinner in the squad, has done really well over the last two years and it will be hard to ignore his performances.”
On the pitch at Chepauk that was re-laid last season, Ashwin said, “The bounce was lacking last season.”