Last Update: May 25, 2023, 09:37 AM IST
In the second qualifier, Rohit Sharma-led Mumbai Indians will face Gujarat Titans. (pic credit: sportzpix)
Rohit Sharma happy with the way Mumbai Indians have progressed after a poor show last season
Memories of a poor last year must have come back to haunt Mumbai Indians when they started IPL 2023 with back-to-back defeats. With just four wins from 14 attempts, MI, the most successful team in IPL history, finished last in the standings in a nightmare of a season.
However, the franchise has seen a remarkable turnaround by finishing fourth in the table and qualifying for the playoffs. And now, they are just steps away from lifting the trophy after a massive win over Lucknow Super Giants in the IPL 2023 Eliminator.
MI skipper Rohit Sharma admitted that the team knew there was a lot of work to do when last year is taken into account, but he is happy to see where the team is now despite ‘poor’ progress.
“I definitely thought about it,” Rohit replied when asked if he thought Mumbai Indians would make it to the playoffs after a poor start to the season. But we all come out of obstacles and then manage our way to get what we want.”
He continued, “To be honest, at the beginning of the season we knew there was a lot of work to be done compared to last season. We worked through it, scrambled through it. It was a bad one but I’m going to do it anyway.” I’ll take it.”
Right-arm pacer Akash Madhwal has proved to be the find of the season for MI, who have been hit by some major injuries.
Madhwal took a brilliant five-wicket haul against LSG, justifying the team’s faith in him in the absence of Jasprit Bumrah and Jofra Archer.
Rohit said, “He (Akash) was part of the team last year as a support bowler, and once Jofra (Archer) went and I knew he had the skills and the character which would work for us.”
“Over the years, we have seen many people coming from Mumbai Indians and playing for India. It is important to make them (youngsters) feel special and make them feel part of the team, my job is just to make them comfortable in the middle. He is very clear about his roles, what he needs to do for the team and that is what you want.”
MI posted 182/8 and then bowled out LSG for 101 in 16.3 overs. The LSG chase resulted in three run outs and one run out by captain Rohit himself.
“As a team, we enjoyed it (fielding). Nice to see everyone’s contribution on the field. Coming to Chennai, we knew that the entire team needed to come to the party. In Wankhede, you need one or two great performances, but here it is a different ball game,” Rohit said.
