Sachin likely to miss IPL debut

April 20: As the Indian Premier League extravaganza enters Day 3 on Sunday, it's the big match in Mumbai which is getting all the attention and all eyes are on one man. Mumbai Indians skipper Sachin Tendulkar, may be unavailable for the match as he is ailing from a groin injury. So, will it be an advantage for the Bangalore Royal Challengers at Wankhede on Sunday?

If Tendulkar is deemed unfit to play, then the mantle of captaincy will fall on none other than Harbhajan Singh which will be a huge honour for the tweaker. Sachin Tendulkar's absence due to injury could well turn out to be what the doctor ordered for a battered Royal Challengers, after being trampled by Sourav Ganguly's Kolkata Knight Riders in Bangalore in the IPL opener on April 18. Another positive for Rahul Dravid's side is the arrival of Shivnarine Chanderpaul, which will give their batting line-up a huge boost.

Dravid may be looking to bounce back in the tournament with a win against the Mumbai Indians, but punters are backing the home side in a battle that will see two big names from India Inc pitted against each other.

Tendulkar's absence will definitely be bemoaned by the Mumbai fans, if he doesn't take to the field but the presence of Sanath Jayasuriya and Robin Uthappa will ensure the fireworks fly at the Wankhede. It is a contest that will see the two business tycoons - Dr Vijay Mallya and Mukesh Ambani - who pitted against each other, in what promises to be a crackling match.

Sachin Tendulkar may miss the Mumbai Indians match against Royal Challengers but the punters are favouring Mukesh Ambani's side with odds of 1.61 to that of Dr Vijay Mallya's Royal Challengers with the odds of 2.20