Sachin expected to return as MI take on DD

The batting maestro sustained a finger injury in his right hand in the season-opener against defending champions Chennai Super Kings on April 4 and missed the next three games. He took part in his first batting practice, facing throw-downs for 45 minutes while the rest of the MI team members had a net session at the Wankhede Stadium on Saturday.

However, the team management will take a final call on his participation only on Monday. Since the IPL season opener against Chennai, Mumbai Indians have not had a solid start and if Tendulkar takes his spot at the top of batting order, MI can hope for a strong opening stand for the likes of Kieron Pollard and Rohit Sharma to feast on later. Neither T Suman, who opened in two games, nor Ambati Rayudu, who got a chance to launch the innings in the other game, prospered in Tendulkar`s absence. South African Richard Levi, who debuted in the IPL in style with a man-of-the-match award-winning half century when Tendulkar was at the other end, also has not done anything extraordinary since the opening game.