I try to ensure that Sachin doesn't hurt his fingers during IPL practice sessions: Jonty Rhodes

Jonty Rhodes, Mumbai Indians fielding coach, says that he ensures Master Blaster Sachin Tendulkar doesn't hurt his fingers during the practice sessions of the IPL, says a report in The Tribune. According to Rhodes Sachin has been playing for such a long time and has a lot of injuries on his hands which he does not don't want to make any worse.

"I just keep asking how his fingers are because I don't want him to come for practice and then suddenly walk away, with a broken finger as his fingers are generally getting hit.  I just make sure he's comfortable fielding. I don't even expect Sachin to come down to every fielding drill. It's just certain exercises and drill we do as a fielding team and I just ensure that his fingers don't get any worse than they are," he explained when asked what discussions does he have with Tendulkar on fielding, adds The Tribune report.

Asked whether anyone can break Tendulkar's great feat of 100 international hundreds, Rhodes said while records are meant to be broken it's still too early to say whether someone like, for example, his talented young Indian teammate Virat Kohli can match the champion batsman's landmark.

Meanwhile, well aware that big knocks in the IPL would put the spotlight on them, Deccan Chargers' young batsmen such as Shikhar Dhawan are aiming to put their best foot forward in the cash-rich event starting April 4, says a report in The Indian Express.

"The competition would be tough. Players come from all over the world. It is a big tournament for everyone. I am looking forward to do well for my team and score big," said Dhawan, adding, "All the teams have got really good players. It's about which team clicks and who plays the best cricket on a particular day. That would be the best team," he said.

According to a report in Indian Express, Ajit Agarkar seems to be pleased with his team composition ahead of the fifth Indian Premier League and said the side is confident of doing well this time after finishing with the wooden spoon last year. "The team composition is good. We have some good quality players in our side. We are confident of doing well this season," Agarkar told reporters here.

Agarkar, who joined the squad yesterday, said the international players have provided solidity to the Daredevils' batting department. "International players are arriving here and we have good batting order," he said. The inclusion of Englishman Kevin Pietersen, New Zealander Ross Taylor and Sri Lankan skipper Mahela Jayawardene have added muscle to the Daredevils batting.