'This is the luxury with Lasith Malinga' - Rohit Sharma recalls IPL 2019 final-ball tactics against CSK
MI will play their next game against the arch-rivals CSK on April 20.
Mumbai Indians' (MI) former skipper Rohit Sharma revealed the plan he made for Shardul Thakur in the IPL 2019 finals against CSK. The Men in Yellow required just two runs in the last ball with Thakur on the crease, facing Lasith Malinga. It was the fourth IPL final between the two best teams in the league.
During an interview with Jatin Sapru, Rohit opened up by suggesting that Malinga bowl a slower one to dismiss the batter. Initially, Malinga had planned to go for a yorker, but knowing the batter, Rohit suggested the other option. Listening to the captain, the bowler delivered a slow dipping yorker from over the wicket.
As planned, Malinga executed the delivery onto the toes, and the batter was LBW. MI won their fourth title, beating the defending champions. Rohit also mentioned that he didn't want to take the game to the Super Over and that is why dismissing the batter was extremely important. This proves Rohit Sharma's tactical mindset and the reason behind MI's five IPL titles.
"My friend (Shardul Thakur) was playing in front of me, and I know what he does and how his bat swing is. I asked Malinga what he was thinking. He said, "I'll put in a yorker, the ball is reversing." Rohit said, "Okay, good option, but if he gets an inside edge, it's a four. I knew that the ball would be reversing, and he's swinging the bat so hard that it can go for a four.
"Malinga said that a slower ball is a good option. I told him that his bat swing is so fast that he can put in a slower ball. If he goes for a six, it's okay, but his bat will be so far down that if he misses the slower ball, he'll either miscue it up or he'll miss the ball for an LBW. I didn't want to take the game into the Super Over," said Rohit Sharma during an interview with host Jatin Sapru.
"Because if I did, I would have asked him to put in a wide yorker, and we'll give him a run, and we'll put a field behind him. I wanted to get him out. And then this is also the luxury with Lasith Malinga, right? That he executes everything, he pinpoints everything. Because the ball was in his hand, I could have thought that. He had the ball in his hand, he was so experienced. He has won so many matches for Mumbai Indians in such situations," added Rohit.
806
262This season, MI started their campaign with a struggle but are now back on track. If they win the next five out of seven matches, they can qualify for the playoffs. Their next clash is against the arch-rivals CSK on April 20 at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai. Meanwhile, CSK have a similar equation in the tournament. All of their matches are crucial now as they have lost five back-to-back games in between. It will be an interesting clash to watch on Sunday.
Download Our App