Mumbai, Dec 17: Cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar has decided to step down from his role as the mentor of the IPL franchise Mumbai Indians, citing personal reasons.
Tendulkar, who had been associated with the team since its inception in 2008, first as a player and then as a mentor, announced his decision on Friday through a statement.
“It has been a great honour and privilege to be part of the Mumbai Indians family. I have enjoyed every moment of my association with the team, which has been like a second home to me. However, due to some personal commitments, I have decided to move on from this role. I would like to thank the owners, management, coaches, players, and staff for their support and cooperation over the years. I wish the team all the best for the upcoming season and beyond,” Tendulkar said.
Tendulkar, who is widely regarded as one of the greatest batsmen of all time, scored 2334 runs in 78 matches for Mumbai Indians, including one century and 13 half-centuries. He also led the team to the Champions League T20 title in 2011.
As a mentor, he played a key role in guiding and nurturing the young talent in the team, such as Ishan Kishan, Suryakumar Yadav, Rahul Chahar, and Jasprit Bumrah. He also shared his experience and wisdom with the senior players, such as Rohit Sharma, Kieron Pollard, and Hardik Pandya.
Under his mentorship, Mumbai Indians became the most successful team in the IPL history, winning five titles in 2013, 2015, 2017, 2019, and 2020.
Mumbai Indians owner Nita Ambani expressed her gratitude to Tendulkar for his invaluable contribution to the team and wished him well for his future endeavours.
“Sachin has been an integral part of the Mumbai Indians family since the very beginning. He has given us countless moments of joy and pride with his brilliance on the field and his mentorship off the field. He has been a source of inspiration and motivation for our players and staff. We are deeply grateful for his services and will always cherish his association with us. We respect his decision and wish him all the best for his future,” Ambani said.
Mumbai Indians will begin their title defence in the second phase of the IPL 2021, which will resume in the UAE from September 19. The team is currently placed fourth in the points table with four wins and three losses in seven matches.
