Mumbai Indians pace bowler Trent Boult commented on the prospect of facing Rajasthan Royals’ young Vaibhav Suryavanshi as “exciting”, but also said that it is not something that would “worry” him on a flat Sawai Mansingh Stadium pitch as well. However, Suryavanshi etched his name in history books, smashing a 38-ball 101 against Gujarat Titans to become the youngest ever to score a hundred in the IPL and overall men’s T20 cricket as well. His 35-ball innings was also the second fastest century in the tournament.
“(I have) bowled to some brilliant batsmen around the world, the Chris Gayles, the AB de Villiers, all the quality that come in these tournaments. I think I’ll be careful not to say I’m worried about a 14-year-old,” Boult told the media on the eve of RR vs MI match. “But it’s going to be an exciting challenge to come up against a guy who’s obviously fearless and running in hot form at the moment, so that’s what it’s about.”
“The whole world saw that performance the other night. (It was a) quality (knock) from such a young kid. It’s the beauty of this tournament, of all the players coming out and taking any opportunity with both hands and I thought he did that very nicely. No, I don’t as a bowler,” he said when asked if he was anticipating another high-scoring game at this venue. It’s a high-scoring ground; history says that. It’s a solid wicket matched by a very, very quick outfield. I’ve been lucky enough to experience the ground over the last three seasons so hopefully I can put that experience into good stead over the next game,” Trent Boult further added.
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However, Mumbai Indians were placed at the penultimate spot at one point earlier in the season, but they have bounced back with five wins in a row now as well.
“No team looks to get off to a bad start, looks to lose matches in the first half of the tournament. T20 cricket is just that type of game,” he said. “(We) came close in a couple of games, you’re looking at a couple of boundaries here or there, saved or gained can be the difference in this format so take the learnings, try to get that a little bit better. A lot of teams speak about getting one or two per cent better. There’s probably a little bit more room for us there to get five or ten per cent better and just come back and keep going at it.”
Trent Boult also said Jasprit Bumrah, who took a four-for in their last match against Lucknow Super Giants, has lifted the team since his return as well. He also said that MI got the benefit from different players stepping up in vital performances.
“He’s a leader in the side, obviously a very experienced bowler and he’s a huge part of the wheel for our squad and he’s definitely lifted the group since his return back to the squad. Moving forward he’s going to play a big role for us as well,” he said. “(The) guys have stood up in different games. There’s been different performances that have contributed throughout the whole season and that’s what it’s about. If everyone wants that, or has that desire to want to stand up and put a good performance in, it’s generally a good recipe for succeeding in T20 cricket.”
“(We) would have loved to have started stronger but there’s been good discussions going on the whole season and to turn around our form over the past four or five games and win five games in a row is a great feeling,” Trent Boult concluded.
