What Sachin Said to Rohit ?

IPL: Sachin Tendulkar responds to Rohit Sharma's Mumbai Indians comeback wish, Shaun Pollock ready to workout

Rohit Sharma, while responding to fans' questions on Sunday, said he would love to see Sachin Tendulkar and Shaun Pollock return to play for Mumbai Indians in the IPL.

Sachin Tendulkar won his first-ever IPL title under Rohit Sharma's captaincy

HIGHLIGHTS

• Sachin Tendulkar responds to Rohit Sharma's IPL comeback wish on social media
• Rohit said on Sunday he would love to see Tendulkar and Shaun Pollock in MI colours again
• Pollock came up with a cheeky reply, letting MI know he is willing to hit the gym again

It's been over 7 years since Sachin Tendulkar last played an Indian Premier League (IPL) match but he is still considered a flagbearer of Mumbai Indians. The former captain who is still part of the Mumbai franchise as their icon on Monday responded to Rohit Sharma's special wish.

IPL's most successful captain Rohit Sharma, when answering questions from his fans on social media, responded to a fan who had asked him if he would want to bring back 'one retired player' to Mumbai Indians for IPL 2020.

Rohit was quick with his reply as he said he would not want one but legends of the franchise back. Rohit named Sachin Tendulkar and former South Africa fast bowler Shaun Pollock.

Rohit joined Mumbai Indians in 2011 and played with Sachin Tendulkar for the franchise. However, the two batsmen did not get an opportunity to open together. Rohit took over as the captain in 2013 wherein MI went on to win their maiden IPL title.

'If I could bring one Mumbai player not one actually, there are two. One and only Sachin Tendulkar and Shaun Pollock," Rohit said on Sunday.

Responding to Rohit's comment, Sachin Tendulkar said it would be fun to open with the Mumbai Indians captain if he were to return to the IPL.

"Would be fun to open with you, @ImRo45," Tendulkar responded. Fans were excited to see a warm reply from the Master Blaster.

"It would be Feast to eyes for this generation of Cricket Lovers!! Powerful Hooks over Mid Wicket by Rohit and Flawless Cover Drives and Straight Drives by God!!! Wow...Just imagining these is giving a Nostalgic feeling.. @sachin_rt, Please play again (sic)," one of the fans responded.

Meanwhile, Shaun Pollock also came up with a cheeky reply, telling Mumbai Indians he is ready to hit the gym if they are willing to have him back in the IPL side.

"Will go to the nets and workout if it's still possible," Pollock wrote. The South Africa fast-bowling great had played only one season in the IPL in 2008 for Mumbai Indians. Pollock took 11 wickets in 13 matches.

Much like Sachin Tendulkar, Shaun Pollock also served Mumbai Indians in coaching and mentor roles. The South Africa fast bowler worked as the head coach of the team in 2009 and took over as mentor and bowling coach in 2011.

The buzz is about IPL once again as the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) said on Sunday that IPL 2020 will be held in the UAE from September 19 to November 10, pending clearances from the Indian government.

Teams are expected to head to the UAE after August 20 while the BCCI has zeroed in on a maximum squad size of 24 for IPL 2020. BCCI is also working on Standard Operation Procedures (SOPs), including details on creation of bio-secure bubbles, in collaboration with leading firms.

IPL 2020 was initially suspended due to the novel coronavirus pandemic but the 13th edition of the cash-rich tournament looks set for September-November window.