Tendulkar's farewell 200th Test in Mumbai

Mumbai's Wankhede stadium is set to host Sachin Tendulkar’s farewell Test after the legendary batsman expressed his desire to play his landmark 200th match against the West Indies next month in front of his home crowd.

"Tendulkar has requested the BCCI to hold his farewell Test at Wankhede stadium," Mumbai Cricket Association president Ravi Sawant said.

"He has expressed his wish that the second and final Test of the series be held in Mumbai," Sawant added.

A top official of the Board of Control for Cricket in India said Mumbai is almost certain to host the historic match though the announcement will be made only after the BCCI's tours and fixtures committee meets.

The BCCI's tours and fixtures committee, headed by Rajiv Shukla, will meet on Tuesday to finalise the venues for the series.

Kolkata's Eden Gardens and Wankhede were the frontrunners to host Tendulkar's last Test but the champion batsman's letter to the board has swung it Mumbai’s way. The city has given the sport some of the greatest cricketers of the modern era.

The BCCI squeezed in the home series against the West Indies to give Tendulkar an opportunity to retire in front of his home fans.

The first Test will be played from November 6-10 and the second from November 14-18.

The Caribbean side will also play three ODIs, on November 21, 24 and 27.

Tendulkar had, on Thursday, announced his decision to retire from Test cricket after playing his landmark match.

Image: The Wankhede stadium in Mumbai

Photograph: Harish Kotian/Rediff.com