Ahmedabad: Mumbai Indians team mentor Anil Kumble has asked his players to keep their emotions off the field in the Champions League T20, beginning on Tuesday.
The tournament will Sachin Tendulkar’s last in the format.
Kumble said he wanted the 2011 champions to give a fitting send-off to Tendulkar by not getting emotional about his swansong.
“He (Tendulkar) has been synonymous with Mumbai Indians right from the start of Indian Premier League. I have played a lot of cricket with him. It would be ideal for the boys to give him a fitting send-off,” Kumble told the team’s official website on Saturday.
“He has been a great contributor for Mumbai Indians all those years. Although he couldn’t play in the last four-five games in the IPL 2013, his contribution to the overall cause of the team has always been very important.”
Another thing that could affect the team’s performance is that it will be together for last time before a fresh auction is held.
“Emotions can’t be brought into a game. It won’t help a players’ performance. Emotions would obviously be there, but they have to be kept in check,” added Kumble. (IANS)