The mood in the camp of 40-time Ranji Trophy champions Mumbai, ahead of their tournament opener in Haryana at lahli, is poignant with the impending retirement of Sachin Tendulkar.
“It is an emotional mood in the dressing room. We are very much looking forward to that (Ranji opener from October 27 at lahli). It’s a great opportunity for everybody and not just the players, to be with Sachin,” said Mumbai coach Sulakshan Kulkarni after the team’s practice session on Thursday.
The veteran batsman will be quitting international cricket after playing the two-Test series against the West Indies at Kolkata (November 6-10) and here (November 14-18).
Former Mumbai keeper Sulakshan remembered the times when he and Tendulkar were teammates when the latter made his first class debut against Gujarat at the Wankhede Stadium. “As far as I am concerned, I was there with him for his first first-class match and (will be there as coach in) this match also.”Tendulkar happy to play in Mumbai: MCA
The Mumbai Cricket Association on Thursday issued a statement on behalf of retiring great Sachin Tendulkar saying the senior India player was “more than happy” to play his final Test in the city and he would be pleased whichever way MCA chooses to felicitate him.
“Sachin Tendulkar is more than happy to play in Mumbai in front of his home crowd. He just wants his mother to be present when he plays his last Test. This is his main wish. Whichever way MCA honours him is acceptable to him,” said MCA’s joint secretary Dr P V Shetty.
The MCA official did not elaborate what provoked such a statement being issued on behalf of the celebrated cricketer, who will bow out of the game after playing his landmark 200th Test against the visiting West Indies team at the Wankhede Stadium here from November 14-18.
However, it was learnt that Tendulkar is upset with reports that MCA is to gift him a special painting on November 11 at the official felicitation when the association’s Kandivli facility will be named after him.