IPL CRICKET MUMBAI INDIANS

Tendulkar, Warne Set
For Another Battle As Royals Take On Mumbai Indians

Mumbai: the legendary rivalry between Aussie great Shane Warne and Sachin Tendulkar is set for another grand renewal. The two legends willo be back at the Brabourne Stadium on Saturday afternoon as the champions of the inaugural edition of the Indian Premier League, Rajasthan Royals, take on hosts mumbai indians.

            It's quite an awesone sight to see Sachin and Sanath opening the batting. A few bowlers around the world will be worried

           Tendulkar's purple patch in 1998, when he scored 12 international hundreds (9 ODI tons and 3 Test tons) started at this very ground  with the demolition of Warne in the three-day match against Ranji champs Mumbai, Tendulkar who was leading MUmbai, repeatedly swept the leg-spinner across the line and got to his first first class double ton, a savage 204 not out (192 balls, 25x4, 2x63) to do story the leg-spinner and his reputation.

         Nearloy 12 years , Warne still remembers the pasting. He also realises that at nearly 37, the run-machine is probably playing the best cricket of his life, having recently scored and unbeaten 200 in an ODI vs South Africa. "Sachin has been a friend for a long time. In my 20 years of playing against him, he has won some battles and I have won some. Particularly out here they have seen him win most of the times and hit me half way out of the stands. I wish to put it right tomorrow, " Warne said.

             Mumbai Indians also have Sanath Jayasuriya, JP Duminy and Shikhar Dhawan who can score a scrching pace if they get in. Lasith Malinga's slinging deliveries could knock a few batsmen out especially if MI fiels first as the sea breeze comes in late in the afternoon. But the Royals will have the magic and inspirational captaincy of Warne to bank on. What they also have is the solidity of Graeme Smith at the top and the explosive hitting power of Yusuf Pathan.

               They however, will provide the supporting cast. Once the clock strikes three on Saturday afternoon, the focus will be on the protagonists. A blonde leggie and a diminutive curly-haired genius.