It’s just “a matter of time”, says Mumbai Indians coach Mahela Jayawardene Captain Rohit Sharma Plays a big innings, something that his team desperately needs to stop their slide in IPL-15.
The MI skipper has failed to capitalize on the starts, scoring only 108 runs this season at an average of 21.60.
Jayawardene said, “If the way you start, the way he hits the ball, he is fantastic. He is giving it time, he is getting really good starts. Yes he is disappointed too, that he is not able to replace them.” said.
“We have seen Rohit bat deep, bat for 14-15 overs and get big scores. It’s just a matter of time. He is a quality player and I worry about this kind of form,” he added. Not there.”
Mi on Wednesday faced a Lost by 12 runs to Punjab Kings – His fifth consecutive defeat – inches closer to elimination.
Chasing 199, Rohit (28) and Ishan Kishan (3) were dismissed cheaply as MI were found struggling for 32 for 2 in 4.1 overs.
Young Devald Brevis (49 off 25) and Tilak Verma (36 off 20) put on 84 runs for the third wicket when MI decided to withdraw Suryakumar Yadav, who was batting at number five instead of his usual position at four. had come to do
Suryakumar scored 43 runs in 30 balls before being dismissed in the 19th over.
Jayawardene said, “Today was the day to take the game deeper, because we were playing with six batsmen. And there is no better person than Surya to finish the game.”
“In the powerplays, he used to swing the ball a bit and all that. So I didn’t want Surya to get into that position and not play his natural game. It was just a tactical thing.”
The 44-year-old said the idea was to give the youngsters more freedom in the middle as Suryakumar and Kieron Pollard play the role of finishers.
“Two youngsters, we know what they are capable of. So given them some freedom to go and control the situation, so that Poli and Suriya are able to chase it. That was the initial thinking.
“It’s a call that we’ll make depending on how we strategize against some of the opposition.”
Jayawardene admitted that the absence of injured Jofra Archer was hurting the team as the bowling unit has not been able to maintain the pressure.
“…Obviously, one of the best bowlers we’ve bought in the auction is Joff (Jofra Archer) – Joff isn’t here. So it’s tough when you’re in that kind of situation, but we’re going to do it. Trying to see how well we can manage.
“In terms of the last four-five matches, we have had some really good spells, we controlled things for a while. But we can’t stop that pressure, because in a certain amount of time, it’s two or three overs that We go. Big is big and it hurt us.
“So that’s something that we really have to mitigate and make sure that our execution is better in those situations.”
Mayank is supporting me 100%: Odeon Smith
Photo Credit: Twitter/@PunjabKingsIPL
West Indies all-rounder Odion Smith (4/30) redeemed himself after his scary outing against Gujarat Titans (hitting for sixes in the last two balls) as he took three wickets in the final over to take Punjab to a total of 198 against MI. helped to defend.
Smith attributed his success to the support he got from captain Mayank Agarwal, the coach and the team management.
“They have been very motivating. They have helped me mentally to get into this sport and be able to perform today. They have been a big help to me. I want to thank the coach.”
“Captain Mayank has been amazing. He has always come up to me and told me that he is 100% supportive of me no matter what happens. It is for me to believe that I can do this because I have to support the entire team. Have faith. Behind me.”
Defending 22 in the last over, Smith was hit for a six off the first ball but came back strongly to take three wickets to seal it for Punjab.