IPL 7: Sachin Tendulkar named Mumbai Indians' icon

Mumbai: Defending champions Mumbai Indians on Wednesday named batting great Sachin Tendulkar as their "icon" ahead of the seventh edition of Indian Premier League beginning in the UAE on April 16.

Tendulkar, it is learnt, will be present in the dugout for all of Mumbai Indians' matches and will travel with the team throughout the tournament. "We are very happy to have Sachin as the Mumbai Indians icon.

I am sure the youngsters in the team will be delighted to have him around for guidance, and so would be the Mumbai Indians fans," team owner Nita Ambani said in a statement.

Tendulkar was icon player of the Mumbai Indians since the first edition in 2008 before he went on to win the title in his last IPL in 2013.

"Sachin has been an integral part of MI and a source of inspiration for the team ever since the inception. It was a fitting finale to Sachin last season, when we dedicated the IPL as well as CLT20 trophies as tribute to the legend," Ambani added.

The feeling is no different for the batting great too. "I have been a part of the Mumbai Indians team since its inception and am delighted to continue my association.

This season with MI will be a different experience for me and I look forward to closely interacting with the experienced support staff and sharing my learnings with the exciting youngsters in the team," said Tendulkar.