Mumbai Indians (MI), the most successful team in IPL history, faced a nightmarish season as memories of their poor performance from the previous year haunted them. With back-to-back defeats and only four wins out of 14 attempts, they finished at the bottom of the standings. However, the franchise has made a remarkable turnaround, securing the fourth position on the table and qualifying for the playoffs. They now find themselves just a few steps away from lifting the IPL 2023 trophy, following a resounding victory over the Lucknow Super Giants in the Eliminator.
MI captain Rohit Sharma acknowledged that the team was well aware of the work that needed to be done, considering their performance in the previous season. Nevertheless, he expressed his satisfaction with the team’s progress, despite the challenges they faced along the way.
“I did think about it,” Rohit Sharma responded when asked if he believed MI would make it to the playoffs after their poor start. “That’s what we have consistently done over the years. People may not expect certain things from us, but we have always overcome obstacles and managed to achieve what we desire.”
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He continued, “To be honest, at the beginning of the season, we knew there was a lot of work to be done compared to what happened last year. We pushed through, fought hard. It was a scrappy journey, but I’ll take it nonetheless.”
MI’s right-arm pacer, Akash Madhwal, emerged as a revelation this season, filling the void left by the absence of Jasprit Bumrah and Jofra Archer due to injuries. Madhwal’s exceptional five-wicket haul against LSG justified the team’s faith in him.
“Akash was already part of the team last year as a support bowler, and when Jofra Archer was unavailable, I knew he had the skills and character to deliver for us,” Rohit Sharma stated. “We have witnessed many players from Mumbai Indians making their mark in the Indian national team over the years. It’s important to make the youngsters feel valued and part of the team. My role is to make them comfortable on the field. They understand their responsibilities well and what they need to do for the team, which is exactly what you want,” he added.
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In the match against LSG, MI posted a formidable total of 182/8 and then dismissed LSG for a mere 101 in just 16.3 overs. The LSG chase witnessed three run-outs, with captain Rohit himself executing one.
“As a team, we thoroughly enjoyed our performance in the field. It was great to see everyone contributing. Coming to Chennai, we knew that the entire team needed to step up. Unlike at Wankhede, where one or two exceptional performances may be sufficient, the dynamics are different here,” Rohit explained.
