It will be the first time batting legend Sachin Tendulkar sets foot on the historic Eden Gardens in an Indian Premier League (IPL) match today when his Mumbai Indians take on Kolkata Knight Riders.u00a0 Kolkata has never witnessed the batting maestro in the IPL asu00a0 he missed fixtures in the first and last season due to injury.


Sachin Tendulkar

"Kolkata is always a special place for me. Playing at the Eden Gardens is always very special. Yes, I have not played an IPL game here. I am looking forward to it," Tendulkar told SUNDAY MiD DAY from his hotel room.

"I can imagine the atmosphere at Eden tomorrow (Sunday). It has always been superb," added the Mumbai Indians skipper. Tendulkar was happy after MI qualified for the play-offs. "Yeah, we are through," said Tendulkar, who watched the Deccan vs Punjab match on television after torrential rains washed out their practice session.

Hundreds of fans waited outside the Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose airport here to catch a glimpse of Tendulkar, who arrived in the city for the first time after India won the World Cup on April 2. "People of Kolkata understand the game very well and admire cricketers. It is a nice feeling for me (to play at Eden)," he signed off.