Tendulkar returns to scene of realisation of WC dream

Tendulkar came back to the scene of India's memorable triumph not to play but to partake of the atmosphere surrounding the Indian Premier League, that kicks off in Chennai tomorrow, and meet up with his old mates in the Mumbai Indians (MI) franchise oufit, besides linking up with new members.

Among those he met was former Australian all-rounder Andrew Symonds, bought for USD 850,000 by the Reliance Industries-owned franchise.

The former Australian cricketer will be playing alongside not only Tendulkar, but also Harbhajan Singh whom he had accused of passing racist comments against him in the acrimonious Sydney Test in 2008.

Tendulkar had supported Harbhajan at the enquiry into the incident and said the feisty off-spinner had not called Symonds "monkey", but only used a Hindi swear word rhyming with the English term.

All that is history as the three players in the centre of that probe in Australia are set to apply their shoulders in unison to try and push MI to the IPL crown that had eluded the franchise in the first three editions of the tournament.

All the players, barring Harbhajan, who is to join the team in Delhi -- venue of MI's opener against Delhi Daredevils on April 10 -- also met team owner Nita Ambani.

There was also a practice game among the team members, without Tendulkar taking part in it, under lights to start their preparations for the elusive IPL honours in right earnest.

Paceman Lasith Malinga, who played for losing team Sri Lanka in Saturday's World Cup final, was present for the match along with West Indian all-rounder Kieron Pollard.

MI had retained these two overseas players apart from Tendulkar and Harbhajan ahead of the player auctions.

Also on view was Munaf Patel, a key member of the victorious Indian World Cup team led by Mahendra Singh Dhoni.

The MI team has 22 members on its roster for IPL-4 after the withdrawal of Australian all-rounder Moses Henriques due to injury.

There would not be any replacement for him, according to team sources.

Pollard is expected to be available for the first four matches before he flies home for the ODI series against Pakistan.

"He would be back for the latter part of the tournament," sources said.

MI squad for IPL-4: Sachin Tendulkar (capt), Rohit Sharma, Aditya Tare, Ambati Rayudu, Dhawal Kulkarni, Rajagopal Satish, Andrew Symonds, James Franklin, Kieron Pollard, Lasith Malinga, Harbhajan Singh, Munaf Patel, Ali Murtuza, Pawan Suyal, Suryakumar Yadav, Tirumalasetti Suman, Yazvendra Chahal, David Jacobs, Aiden Blizzard, Dilhara Fernando, Abu Nechim, Sarul Kanwar.