Sachin Tendulkar, Kumar Sangakkara doubtful for IPL clash

 

VISAKHAPATNAM: Even though it is early days in the tournament, the teams are scrabbling about to get some momentum into their campaign. Before the travelling becomes weary and the legs get heavy, the teams are keen on getting as many wins under their belts as possible. This mad scramble for points adds to the mystic of the IPL.

It has been a topsy-turvy ride for the teams thus far, however. Mumbai, who began on a rousing note in their opener against Chennai, were brought down to the earth by Pune in their next game at home. It was an eye-opener for Harbhajan and Co that one couldn't take any team for granted in this format.

Team Hyderabad too didn't have the kind of start that they were praying for as they were thrashed by a resurgent Chennai on Saturday night. The 74-run loss on Saturday was not what the home team had expected though they knew that Chennai are a tough team. The manner in which Hyderabad caved in has rankled the management and they are groping for answers.

Though Kumar Sangakkara has joined the squad, the team management is not sure if the Sri Lankan will take the field on Monday. "Kumar is just back from a five-day Test and we are not sure how he will take it. It is a 50-50 situation and the call will be his," said coach Darren Lehmann prior to a practice session at the ACA-VDCA stadium, on Sunday evening.

Added to it is the unavailability of leg-spinner Amit Mishra. "Mishra is injured and will not be playing the next game," Lehmann said.

This has upset the balance of the team and skipper Cameroon White and Lehmann have a lot of work on hand to get the right combination take the field, especially after the hammering they received at the hands of Chennai.

Mumbai, who are smarting under the shock loss to Pune, are keen to take the maximum points from the hosts. Skipper Harbhajan Singh has the wherewithal at his disposal to take on Hyderabad but after the Pune debacle, he will be keen that the team doesn't become complacent looking at the thin reserves of the hosts.

The favourites are sweating over the fitness of Sachin Tendulkar. The Master Blaster, who was hit on the fingers by a Doug Bollinger delivery in the first game, missed the game against Pune. "Sachin paaji has made rapid progress and is fit. But the team management will take a final call tomorrow. All of us are eager to see him back on the field," said left-arm spinner Pragyan Ojha.