Sachin declared fit

Mumbai Indians' sagging hopes in the Indian Premier League got a major boost ahead of their match against Kings XI Punjab on Sunday as Sachin Tendulkar has been declared fit to take the field.
Tendulkar got hit on his finger during the IPL opener against defending champions Chennai Super Kings while fending at a rising delivery from left-arm speedster Doug Bollinger and has seen action only from the sidelines since then.
"He's fine to play and is playing tomorrow," informed Mumbai Indians coach Robin Singh in the pre-game media conference at the Wankhede Stadium.
There was some concern on Saturday at the nets when Tendulkar got hit on his finger after facing a few balls and he came off the nets. But he later joined the fielding drills taking catches off tennis ball hits by fielding coach Jonty Rhodes.
Robin insisted that there was nothing to worry. "He just got a small hit on the finger. He's playing tomorrow," insisted the coach.
Meanwhile, another key member of the squad, Lasith Malinga will miss tomorrow's game, having gone back to Sri Lanka to get treatment for a sore back but Robin Singh said that the bowler is expected back next week.
"He has got a sore back but he will be back early next week," said the former India all-rounder.
The Sri Lanka pacer missed the previous game against Delhi Daredevils on April 16.