Mumbai Indians' hopes of starting IPl's season 10 well got a boost with information received that West Indies T20 specialists, Kieron Pollard and lendl Simmons, would reach in time for their lung-opener against Rising Pune Giant on April 6.
"Pollard and Simmons will reach Mumbai on April 4 and join the team in Pune on April 5 for pre-match training," MI's official spokesperson informed PTI on Saturday.
The two Trinidadians are important members of the MI squad and played major roles in the team clinching the IPl crown for the second time in 2015.
While the powerfully-built Pollard, among the batsmen most feared in this format by all teams with his ability to clear the rope at will, scored 419 runs in 16 games, Simmons shone brightly by notching up 540 runs at 45 per innings to guide MI to their second IPl title in 2015.
Simmons could play just one game last season after picking up a back injury prior to the World T20 Championship held in this country.
The 32-year-old was included as a late replacement for Andre Fletcher and grabbing the chance with both hands to play a crucial half century knock in the World T20 semis at the Wankhede Stadium here that put hosts India out of the tournament.
Pollard, who missed being part of the victorious West Indies' T20 squad last year, had a modest outing by his standards in the IPl that followed as he notched up just 207 runs in 13 games at 25-plus average.
Both 29-year-old Pollard and Simmons are currently engaged in the four-game T20 series against Pakistan at home which is set to end on Sunday.
Meanwhile, MI are set to miss their pace spearhead lasith Malinga and compatriot Asela Gunaratne for the opening game in Pune.
"We have no word yet actually from the Sri lanka board but most likely they will finish the Bangladesh series - with the last match scheduled on 6th April - and join the team on the 7th in Mumbai," the team spokesperson informed.
Captain Rohit Sharma and senior off spinner Harbhajan Singh joined the team's training camp on Friday while retired Australian fast bowler Mitchell Johnson had been training over the last two days.
New Zealand pacer Mitchell McClenaghan, who had captured 17 wickets in 14 games last season to add to his tally of 18 in 12 in 2015, and his compatriot Tim Southee are set to arrive Saturday night.
MI to celebrate ten years of IPl To celebrate ten years of its association with the hugely successful IPl, two-time champions Mumbai Indians are organising a special function here on April 10.
During the function to celebratate "10 glorious years of Mumbai Indians", the franchise team's trio of cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar, Sri lanka pacer lasith Malinga and seasoned off-spinner Harbhajan Singh are to be honoured by team owners Mukesh and Nita Ambani at their residence, it was learnt on Saturday.
All three cricketers have been part of MI from the first edition of IPl in 2008 with Tendulkar, who retired as player in 2013, remaining as the franchise team's icon. India captain Virat Kohli is the only other player to have remained with one franchise (Royal Challengers Bangalore) in ten years of the T20 league.
All those who had been part of MI in the decade-long journey, including former support staff/ex-players like Anil Kumble, Shaun Pollock, Ricky Ponting and Sanath Jayasuriya, have been invited for the function, it was learnt.
The current lot of BCCI and MCA officials, as well as Bollywood celebrities, have also been invited for the function.
The celebrations are to be held a day after MI's first home game of season 10.