Tendulkar to lead 'Mumbai Indians'

	Sachin Tendulkar and Harbhajan Singh will battle for the Mumbai Indians © AFP

The Indian Premier League's Mumbai-based franchise has been named their team 'Mumbai Indians'. Sachin Tendulkar, the team's icon player, will captain the side, which also includes Sanath Jayasuriya and Shaun Pollock.

"Mumbai Indians is a nice combination of senior players and youngsters, so I think we all will be looking forward to go out there, put up a perfect unit and perform well," Tendulkar said after unveiling the team's logo at a promotional event in Mumbai. "Twenty20 cricket is hugely popular everywhere and I have no doubt the IPL will be a hit."

Tendulkar said he was looking forward to open the batting with Jayasuriya: the last time he did so was back in 1998, while playing for the Rest of the World XI against MCC at Lord's in a charity match held in memory of Princess Diana.

The team logo for the Mumbai Indians has the Sudarshan Chakra with the team's name engraved in it. The team's colour - blue - is the same as that of the Indian national side.

The franchise, owned by Mukesh Ambani's Reliance Industries Ltd, was bought for US$ 111.9 million, making it the most expensive of the eight franchises. The team has three Sri Lankans in Jayasuriya, Lasith Malinga and Dilhara Fernando, while Pollock and Loots Bosman are the other overseas recruits. Robin Uthappa and Harbhajan Singh are the other India nationals in the side, which has promising local players in Abhishek Nayar and Ajinkya Rahane.