Conditions would decide who will open with Sachin Tendulkar: Ricky Ponting

Ponting said in the last couple of seasons MI have tried a lot of opening combinations and they are hoping that the choice this season would bring in good results.

Ponting said the team will surely miss Lasith Malinga tomorrow.

8220;It is disappointing to miss him in the first game. Hope he will be okay after a couple of days. Malinga will join the team on April five in Mumbai,8221; he said.

On Malinga8217;s replacement,Ponting said the team hasn8217;t yet decided on the playing eleven. 8220;We will take a call on it after taking into account weather and pitch conditions.8221;

Ponting said the team was not thinking of winning the IPL at this moment as it8217;s a long tournament.

8220;We are thinking of tomorrow8217;s game. We cannot afford to look too far ahead. I am sure towards the end of the tournament,we will be right up there,8221; he said.