Tendulkar will not play in Ranji semi-final against Delhi

Mumbai coach Pravin Amre has made it clear that Sachin Tendulkar will not play in the Ranji Trophy semi-final against Delhi.

Speculation was rife that since Tendulkar had opted out of the tri-series in Bangladesh he may play in the important match, starting in Mumbai on Sunday.

Amre reasoned that since the senior batsman had taken a break for rest, there was no chance of him playing in the semi-final.

"He has opted out of the Bangladesh tri-series to take rest and is not available for the semi-finals. The team is going to be picked tomorrow," Amre said on Tuesday.

Rohit Sharma's inclusion in the team for the Bangladesh tri-series fuelled speculation that Tendulkar would take his place in the Mumbai side.

Amre though said Prashant Naik and Onkar Khanvilkar, who were part of the squad for the quarter-final against Haryana, have a strong chance to make the final eleven.

"We have the option of Prashant and Onkar who have been with the team. Abishek Nayar is playing a game (local Times Shield tie), giving us more flexibility," he said.

Amre said both Mumbai, striving for their 39th title, and former champions Delhi will be without some of their key players.

"Both the teams are missing some players but have the momentum going into the game," he said.

Seven-time winners Delhi will be without the opening duo of Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir, middle-order batsman Virat Kohli and left-arm pacer Ashish Nehra, while, besides Tendulkar, Mumbai will be without Rohit Sharma and Zaheer Khan.

The availability of lanky pacer Ishant Sharma, ignored for the triangular event in Bangladesh, has bolstered the visiting team's attack.

Amre said he had asked his frontline bowlers not to play for their respective office outfits in the ongoing Times Shield tournament to remain fresh for the battle against Delhi, who last won the title in the 2007-08 season.

"Iqbal Abdulla (left-arm spinner) has bowled over 270 overs (in the tournament). I have asked the five main bowlers to skip the Times Shield tie," he said.