Tendulkar seeks big score

VALSAD, Nov 4: There couldn't have been a better advertisement for a mismatch -- a star-studded Mumbai taking on Gujarat in a overs-limited...

VALSAD, Nov 4: There couldn8217;t have been a better advertisement for a mismatch 8212; a star-studded Mumbai taking on Gujarat in a overs-limited contest. Boosted by Sachin Tendulkar8217;s presence, the Wills Trophy defending champions possess enough ammunition in their armoury to have a blast at the Bulsar District Association8217;s Sardar Patel Stadium on Wednesday.

The 24-year-old Mumbai skipper gave sufficient indications of sending Gujarat on a leather-hunt when he commented: 8220;I am looking forward to getting back into a good nick.8221;

Back in the Mumbai side after a two-year hiatus owing to national duties, Tendulkar described his return as 8220;a great feeling8221; and added, 8220;it is good to see a couple of talented youngsters like Wasim Jaffer in the team.8221;

Jaffer, however, doesn8217;t feature in the captain8217;s gameplan tomorrow. The others in the dropout list include: Jatin Paranjpe, Sulakshan Kulkarni and rookie Santosh Saxena 8212; a late inclusion to the original list of 14.

Coach Balwinder Singh Sandhu had words of consolation for the dropouts, particularly Jaffer and Paranjpe. 8220;I feel sorry for them as they have been among the runs of late. But that is how it has been with the Mumbai team over the years whenever the big stars returned after their national commitments,8221; he said.

Gujarat, who languished in the cellar last season with a no-win record, have nothing to lose. A victory here on a track favouring fast bowlers might spur them to greater deeds. Led by Mukund Parmar, the youthful Gujarat side would have to dig deep from into their resources to prevent a mauling.

Teams

Mumbai: Sachin Tendulkar captain, Rajesh Sutar, Amol Muzumdar, Vinod Kambli, Sanjay Manjrekar, Sameer Dighe wicket-keeper, Ajit Agarkar, Sairaj Bahutule, Nilesh Kulkarni, Abey Kuruvilla and Paras Mhambrey.

Coach: Balwinder Sandhu.

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Gujarat from: Mukund Parmar captain, Pathik Patel vice-captain amp; wicket-keeper, Kalpesh Patdiwala, Umesh Belsare, Ambrish Kotecha, Nilesh Modi, Tejas Varsani, Hiren Patel, Bhavin Mehta, Dhiren Barot, Jaimin Patel, Shymal Bhat, Mihir Sheth, Bhavik Patel, and Vijay Patel.

Coach: Ashok Sahiba.

Umpires: S D Sharma and Chetan Juneja both Delhi;

Observer: L Venkataraman