We always believed we had a chance: Rohit Sharma

Halfway through the Rising Pune Supergiant’s innings, the Mumbai Indians’ chances of winning their 3rd title look bleak as the chasing side needed just over 7 an over with 9 wickets in hand. But the Mumbai side held their nerves, believed in themselves to put Pune under pressure and bagged yet another title.

Rohit Sharma, the captain who led MI to their 3rd titles, expressed his happiness on being able to obtain the desired result executing the plans they made before the tournament and a collective team effort with no major individual brilliance leading them to the win.

All three titles special

“All the three titles were special. I personally feel how you prepare at that start of tournament getting your combinations right is the most critical part in winning the tournament,” says Rohit.

“I also feel individual brilliance can win you a few games but what is required to win a championship is team unity, teamwork and intelligence. When we won the previous two titles, we probably had one batsmen in top 5 but no one this time which is little bit sad to see but again it shows different individuals have come at different times and taken the responsibility which has been hallmark of this team,” he added.

With just 129 on board, chances of MI’s win didn’t have much scope even though it was a slow track. However, Rohit says it was the belief in the team and grabbing the chances at the right time that helped the side add another trophy to their cabinet.

“We wanted to score somewhere between 140 and 160 on this track because if we batted out coming in with 180 in mind, we might have bowled out for just 100. On a slow track like this, we had to believe we can defend any sort of target. That is what we discussed in the change room during the break. We spoke about the last game against KKR, who are a better batting unit in this tournament whom we restricted for just 105, so why can’t we do it again,” said Rohit explaining the dressing room atmosphere after posting only 129.

“When you are defending such a low total, you need some fielding brilliances. We spoke in the change room about adding 20 runs extra with our fielding. But yea, in the first half things didn’t go well for us. It happens when you want to overdo in the pressure. When he had a break after 6 overs, we just got together to be calm and don’t overdo.

On such a wicket one or other thing keeps happening. You just can’t come and play your shots here. It doesn’t matter if they had a partnership for 10 overs or whatever. We kept believing that there was a chance. We just wanted to stay in the game and one wicket can change things around,” he added.

The Mumbai Indians skipper says he is quite happy with the presence of Mitchell Johnson on and off the field who has served them as a good back up whenever Lasith Malinga or Mitchell McClenaghan were unavailable and helped the young bowlers in the side with his tips.

“We have proven match winners in our squad and it comes healthy when the team need the most. Mitchell McClenaghan who was playing throughout the season for us was unfortunately injured and couldn’t make into the final but we believed we have a great back-up in form of Johnson who has proven his worth with Australia many times and also for our side in the past. He has been in this atmosphere before for us and yes I could happily rely on him when I needed the most,” the 30-year old said.

“It was not just about the finals but throughout the season he has been talking to the younger bowlers and sharing his experiences and knowledge about the game. I am sure in future Bumrah might be telling you how Johnson helped him,” said Rohit in the post-match press conference after the final.

Talking about the final over, the MI skipper said there was no special plan and just didn’t want to offer pace to the RPS’ skipper.

“I and Johnson discussed not to give him (Smith) the pace because what we saw in this innings, he was trying to use to the pace of the ball. I wanted him (Johnson) to hit into the wind and make it difficult to Smith but it turned out to be a wide yorker which Smith sliced to Rayudu who took a great catch. He was probably not expecting it to come to him but at that pressure to take that catch, it was brilliant,” Rohit explained.

With 2 overs of Bumrah and one each for Malinga and Johnson left, the 30-year-old decided to bowl Bumrah for the 17th and 19th over instead of 18th and 20th and backed Johnson for the final over. Speaking about employing his three pacers in the last 4 overs, Rohit said that the wind movement played a key role while he took the call.

“I wanted to use Bumrah to take wickets and Mali (Malinga) bowling into the wind wasn’t a good option for us. When Johnson came in, both right-handers were at the crease and they were trying to hit against the wind. When Mali was bowling from other side, he was bowling into the wind and I never wanted that so it was always a gamble between Malinga and Johnson to bowl that last over I mean Malinga is in a rhythm of playing more games and Johnson could well mix up the things and bowl against the wind to make it difficult for the right handers which actually worked. But when it doesn’t work, it looks very bad,” the Mumbai Indians’ captain elaborated.

Rohit says he is pleased by the maturity of Krunal Pandya who understands the responsibilities and is happy with both the Pandya brothers’ performances who have been serving the MI in all three departments.

“I think both Pandya brothers have something special in them. They both try to contribute in some or other way. It is not just the batting and bowling, even with fielding which is a critical part in this format. I think Krunal has matured now.

Last year he came in and was a quite nervous but now he knows that he is a core member of the team. He just goes out and plays freely. He has got no pressure and of course, if you drop a catch, you will have a chance of coming back by bowling some good overs, exactly what he has done today,” said Rohit praising the Pandya brothers for their contribution.