Punjab Cricket Association president Inderjit Singh Bindra says it is an honour for the state that Sachin Tendulkar is making a comeback at the Mohali cricket ground, in the Challenger Trophy tournament, featuring three teams, comprising India's leading players.
"It is definitely an honour that a man like Sachin is making a comeback to Indian cricket at our ground. He is a legend and we are very happy to have him with us," the former Board of Control for Cricket in India chief told rediff.com on Monday, before the commencement of the limited-overs' tournament, which concludes on Thursday.
All the matches are day-night affairs.
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However, Bindra expressed disappointment about the absence of top players like Sourav Ganguly, Rahul Dravid and Virender Sehwag.
"It would have been nice if these players were also here. Players of their calibre do make their presence felt. Ganguly, Dravid and Sehwag are great players and their presence would have been an added attraction," he said.
He said organising the Challenger Trophy at short notice was his biggest challenge.
"Where the Board [BCCI] failed, the Punjab Cricket Association has been able to deliver the goods. It is easy to sell international cricket, but we have been able to sell the Challenger Trophy, which, I guess, is a great challenge. I am happy that we have been able to rise to the occasion," said a delighted Bindra, as he walked across the PCA stadium to sort out some problems of India's middle order batsman Yuvraj Singh.
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