Sachin Tendulkar's cheeky reply to Sourav Ganguly on opening the batting

Sachin Tendulkar and Sourav Ganguly on the sidelines of the ISL final last year

After Sourav Ganguly fired a joking threat that he would fly back home to Kolkata if not given the opener’s slot for the Cricket-All Stars matches, Sachin Tendulkar has taken a swipe in return – jokingly saying, “Application being processed”.

The exchange shows the kind of energy that fuelled one of the greatest opening partnerships in the history of ODI cricket. Ganguly had said on Tuesday,"I have told Sachin, if I don't open, I will catch the next flight to Kolkata. So that is a criteria for playing.”

A warning which Sachin has met with a warning of his own – for ‘Dada’ to keep his head down and practice his trademark off drive. Sachin may have enjoyed his time in Team India under Dada’s captaincy, but the roles have reversed now – the probable message Sachin wanted to send out.

Sourav is part of Sachin’s Blasters, the team that is to take on Warne’s Warriors in a series of three T20 matches in the USA starting from Saturday, 7th November. A Sachin-Sourav opening partnership would be the realisation of a dream for many.

The TenGuly era, when one opener would play the cheeky shot over the keeper’s head for 4 and another shimmy down the wicket to a left-arm spinner and hit him for a straight six, is one of the brightest periods in Indian cricket’s history.

The teams are to be announced on 5th November, but initial reports suggest that Sourav may have to vie with Matthew Hayden for the opener’s slot alongside Sachin. Virender Sehwag, who had been Sourav’s successor as Sachin’s opening partner for India, may also be in the fray.

Team composition of Sachin’s Blasters

Batsmen – Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly, Matthew Hayden, Mahela Jayawardene, Jacques Kallis, Jonty Rhodes, VVS Laxman

Wicketkeeper – Kumar Sangakkara

Bowlers – Shaun Pollock, Courtney Walsh, Curtly Ambrose, Lance Klusener, Ajit Agarkar, Graeme Swann

The matches are scheduled to be played at some of the most iconic baseball stadiums in USA. The first game will be played at the Citi Field in New York which is the home ground for the New York Mets. The retired superstars will then move to Los Angeles to play a match at the Dodgers stadium. The final game will take place at Texas.

Dada your application for the opener's position is being processed!Hope the off drive is coming from the sweet spot @T20AllStars @ShaneWarne

— sachin tendulkar (@sachin_rt) November 4, 2015