Malinga joins MI
Mumbai: Sri lankan fast bowler lasith Malinga has joined the Mumbai Indians (MI) squad after missing the first two games and is likely to be fit for the team's clash against Delhi Daredevils on April 9.
Malinga, key paceman for the Mumbai franchise, was ruled out for the opening match in Bangalore due to a sore back, which he had sustained during Sri lanka's recent limited overs series against Bangladesh. "He is likely to be fit for the first home match on Tuesday but the final call will be taken by the team management tomorrow," team sources said. Malinga made an appearance on Sunday, when he joined MI captain Ricky Ponting and all rounder Kieron Pollard at a Disney event to launch a limited edition of Marvel-Mumbai Indians merchandise range. "We are very excited about our relation with Disney. Our association has been for a couple of years now," Ponting said at the event
Morkel set to return
Mumbai: Virender Sehwag, who missed Delhi Daredevils' opening two IPl games because of back spasms, would join the team's training session and then take a a call on whether he would play against Mumbai Indians in the next IPl game on Tuesday. Meanwhile, Daredevils squad will be bolstered with South African pacer Morne Morkel joining the squad tomorrow evening after completing his domestic T20 engagements on Monday. Morne will thus be available for Tuesday's game. Sehwag will reach Mumbai tomorrow evening and then take part in the evening training session of the team. "He (Sehwag) will take part in the evening training session and then a call will be taken whether he can play the match against Mumbai Indians. There is marked improvement (on the fitness front)," informed a team source. About Morne and left-arm spinner Roloef van der Merwe, the official informed,"They are arriving tomorrow evening after playing the final of the domestic T20 Challenge and are unlikely to take part in the training session."
Unmukt reprimanded
New Delhi/Mumbai: Delhi Daredevils opener Unmukt Chand has been reprimanded for violation of dress code rules during his side's five-run loss in their IPl match against Rajasthan Royals here. "He violated article 2.1.1 of the Code of Conduct for a breach of paragraph 4.2 of the IPl Clothing Regulations, during his teams Pepsi IPl match against the Rajasthan Royals at the Ferozeshah Kotla Ground, in Delhi," the IPl said in a release.
‘learning from Warner’
Meanwhile, Chand said on Sunday that he learnt a few trick of the trade by watching Australian opener David Warner bat against Rajasthan Royals in their last IPl match. "I am spending some good time with Warner. It's been a great learning experience, seeing the way he started his innings and the way he progressed. He did not take tough chances initially and then as the game progressed, he started playing more aggressively. All these things teach you," Chand said. The Under-19 World Cup winning captain was referring to the diminutive left-hander's brilliant knock of 77 runs. Chand said Warner had been giving him useful tips too. "He has been telling me to just be there and wait for the loose balls. It has been very helpful. In the first match I got out off the first ball. I did better in the second match than the first, but can do even better. I got a good start but could not capitalise," he said. PNS/Agencies