Batting maestro Sachin Tendulkar and all-rounder Ajit Agarkar are certain to play in the five-day Irani Trophy cricket match between Ranji Trophy champions Mumbai and Rest of India, at Chennai, from September 18 to 22.

Mumbai Cricket Association joint secretary Prof Ratnakar Shetty said he spoke to Tendulkar, Agarkar and paceman Avishkar Salvi and the three confirmed their availability, saying they want to play in a five-day match before taking on the Kiwis at home in a two-match Test series.

"In fact, almost all the Indian players are certain to play in the Challenger One-day series, to be held in Bangalore, from September 10 to 14, and some of them who get picked for the Rest of India side will definitely make the most of it before an important home series," he said.

"Tendulkar, who has been out of action, particularly in the longer version of the game due to a finger injury which was set right after an operation in the United States, is very eager to play in the Irani Trophy to get some much needed match practice," Shetty said.

It is also learnt that India skipper Sourav Ganguly, left arm seamers Zaheer Khan and Ashish Nehra and leg spinner Anil Kumble are also eager to play in the Irani Trophy match.