Tendulkar bats for charity

Sachin Tendulkar created history of another sorts on Wednesday, when he unveiled the first ticket of the theatrical screenings of the Indian Premier League matches.

It would be the first time ever that cricket matches would be shown in theatres across India, during the third season of the IPL, which will kick off in Mumbai on Friday, March 12.

The first ticket, autographed by the master batsman, was auctioned for charity. The bid started at a base price of Rs 5 lakh and ended up being sold for more than double the amount for a whopping amount of Rs 11 lakh, which was donated to charity trust Apnalaya.

Tendulkar also announced that he would be donating his bat, which he used for international matches during this season, for charity. The bat would be kept on display at all the cinema theatres around the country telecasting the IPL matches after which, it will be auctioned and the proceeds would once again go to Apnalaya.

"I have been supporting this charity for a long time now. I am trying to help the charity in whatever possible manner by raising money and creating a platform for the underprivileged kids to express their talent. I am sure if everyone decides to do this our country will head in a different direction," Tendulkar said in Mumbai.

The Mumbai Indians captain also indicated that his team is now preparing hard to come up with a good showing in the IPL after their failures in the last two seasons.

"I am now preparing for IPL with the Mumbai Indians. The preparations have become quite intense and I am looking forward to playing in the third season of the IPL," he said.