Mumbai, Apr 18 : Sachin Tendulkar, the captain of the Mumbai Indians team of the Indian Premier League (IPL), is a doubtful starter for the first match against the Bangalore 'Royal Challengers' to played in Mumbai on April 20.

"I am following all the programmes given to me by my physicians and doctors. I am also attending a lot of sessions with them. It's uncertain that whether I'll be able to play on April 20 or not. It'll be decided two days before the match. No decision has been taken yet," said Tendulkar.

Pollock said though the IPL would be fun, representing one's country is great honour.

"As a South African, I am proud to represent my country. It's a fantastic honour, you grow up in your country as a young kid dreaming about one day performing for them," said Pollock.

The most expensive team in the IPL, 'Mumbai Indians' will be featuring Tendulkar as the icon player, besides Sri Lankan explosive batsman Sanath Jayasuriya, South Africa's Shaun Pollock and India's spinner Harbhajan Singh.

Mukhesh Ambani's Reliance Retail spent US 111.9 million dollars to get the Mumbai franchise.

The IPL is a new concept of the BCCI for playing Twenty-20 cricket along the lines of the English Premier League and the National Basketball Association in the US.

The championship will feature eight franchisee teams of the IPL -- Bangalore, Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Jaipur, Kolkata, Mohali and Mumbai to vie for the cash rich trophy.

During the IPL Twenty20 league tournament, 59 matches will be played over a span of 44 days, starting April 18.

ANI