IPL's terrific for the youngsters: Tendulkar

16th May 2008

Master blaster Sachin Tendulkar, who made his first appearance in the DLF Indian Premier League (IPL) against Chennai Super Kings on May 14, reckons that the Twenty20 tournament is a "terrific opportunity" for the youngsters.

Tendulkar feels that the League will only benefit the young players as they are getting a chance to rub shoulders with great Indian as well as international cricketers.

"This has been a terrific opportunity for all the youngsters in the country. All the top players are playing in this tournament and actually being with them for five weeks is terrific education for them," Tendulkar stated to the media in a pre-match press conference held in Mumbai.

"As I have said earlier, the more you talk and discuss about cricket the more you learn about it. Eventually Indian cricket is going to benefit from this," he added.

Tendulkar expressed that the home crowd has been very supportive particularly at the Wankhede Stadium.

"I am sure you all know how the crowd is with the team. Especially at Wankhede, people know the game very well. In the past we have had plenty of support and we'll continue to have it," he said.

Even stand-in captain Shaun Pollock had echoed his Mumbai teammate's sentiment in the past at some instances.

Tendulkar pointed out that the senior players have been coming together and making a lot of effort towards the team's goals emphasizing that it is not only about the Indians in the team.

He further mentioned that he enjoyed playing a few Twenty20 games last year.

Commenting about Chennai Super Kings' Muttiah Muralidaran, Tendulkar indicated that it is certainly not an easy job to face the world-class spinner's attack but did not rule out the possibility of getting considerable runs from his deliveries.

"There is no doubt about the calibre of somebody like Muralidaran. It is obviously tough whether you are playing in the Test, one-day or Twenty20 version. We all have high regards for him."

And then Sachin said in jest, "You never know he might give a lot of runs."