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28 March 2024

Champions League T20: Rusty Sachin Tendulkar ready to quit?

Sachin Tendulkar of Mumbai walks off after being dismissed for 16 runs during the Karbonn Smart CLT20 match between bizhub Highveld Lions and Mumbai Indians at Bidvest Wanderers Stadium on October 14, 2012 in Johannesburg, South Africa. (Gallo Images/Getty Images)

Published
By Staff with Agencies

As the Champions League Twenty20 serves as a warm-up for the rest of the cricketing season, it is also serving up some reminders.

As the dust around the World T20 settles, not least because of the fixing scandal surrounding umpires (though not involved in the World Cup), India’s IPL juggernaut steams on.

Or is that, runs out of steam.

Defending champions Mumbai Indians looked anything but like champions as their players seemed tired and jaded against the Highveld Lions, losing by eight wickets.

While Lions’ names like Neil McKenzie (68 not out off 41 balls) and 19-year-old Quinton de Kock (51 not out off 33) maybe unheard of in the IPL universe, the duo chased the Mumbai target of 158 with seven balls to spare at the New Wanderers Stadium.

Dhawal Kulkarni and Mumbai skipper Harbhajan Singh were both eaten alive by the Lions

Kulkarni conceded 17 runs in one over and Harbhajan 16. 

However, all eyes were on Sachin Tendulkar.

Not least because the master blaster is considering retiring and India is getting ready to cope with his absence.

Showing touches of class, Sachin steered Sohail Tanvir for his first boundary and found the fence quickly again.

Then, in perhaps a sign that rustiness sets into even the greatest, left-arm spinner Aaron Phangiso bowled him as he tried to make room for a heave.

Even the presence of international stars like Mitchell Johnson and Kieron Pollard could save Mumbai in the end.

This Pride Lions were just too good.