Syed Sahabuddin joins Mumbai Indians

Andhra seamer Syed Sahabuddin has agreed to join the Mumbai Indians for the third season of the IPL. Sahabuddin, who quit the rebel ICL with a host of other Indian players, was recommended by the franchise's new coach Robin Singh.

"I immediately gave my acceptance as it will be a great learning experience to play along with world's greatest cricketer Sachin Tendulkar," Sahabuddin told the Hindu. "The paperwork is on."

Sahabuddin has taken 180 wickets in 56 first-class games since his debut in 1998-99. His first-class career stalled for two years when he represented the Hyderabad Heroes in the ICL, taking 17 wickets in 21 Twenty20 games. Sahabuddin is also a useful lower-order hitter and he fittingly announced his comeback to the Andhra side with a century in the season opener against Kerala earlier this month.

Sahabuddin said the experience gained from the ICL will serve him well in future. "ICL enabled me to learn the intricacies of the Twenty20 format. Coach Steve Rixon was of great help to me."