It has been a fascinating journey with Mumbai Indians so far: Mahela Jayawardene

Mumbai Indians have undoubtedly been the team to beat in Vivo IPL 10 and 6 victories from 8 games really give a statement. In their previous encounter against the Rising Pune Supergiant, they got a reality check as their winning streak came to an end as RPS won a nail-biting thriller by just 3 runs. Incidentally, RPS also defeated Mumbai in the opening game but since then MI has been rolling and had won 6 games on a trot.

The credit for their impressive performance shouldn’t go to the players alone as the support staff and the coaches have been really professional and deserve equal amount of applause. Mahela Jayawardena who replaced Ricky Ponting as the chief coach of Mumbai said that it has been a great experience being a part of such an organised franchise.

Mumbai have always stuck to their strengths and have shown faith in their young guns. Southpaw Nitish Rana who has been a prolific run-getter in this edition so far was already under the eyes of Ponting and the Sri Lankan has just taken over the roles. During an exclusive interview with Mumbai Mirror, the former Sri Lankan captain conceded that the World Cup loss in 2011 was difficult to digest but time has healed it and they have moved on from that fateful night of 2nd April.

“I knew it is going to be a challenge. From the time I first sat for a meeting with them I have enjoyed the experience. A good group of players, a very well organised franchise, professional management… so far it has been a fascinating journey,” Jayawardena said. His last assignment in Sri Lanka colours was the World Cup 2015 where the Asian giants bowed to South Africa in the quarter-finals.

When asked what’s the difference between approaching a game from a player’s point of view and now a coach’s point of view to which Jayawardena said, It is quite different in the sense that as a coach you don’t have control over the situations out there. It is up to the players. This is something I had understood when I was playing. Actually, I am still playing T20 cricket around the world. What I can control is to prepare the players for each game and every situation and make sure that their mind is in right place.

The Sri Lankan also feels that he hasn’t done anything different but carried on from where Ricky Ponting left. “I don’t know if I have made a difference. It is a new season. This year we bought very few players and continued with the old set of players. The core remains the same as last year. Even Nitish Rana had played under Ricky Ponting. I just made a few changes but it was after consultation with everyone concerned, including other coaches. It is a continuation of good things of the past and a bit of addition from my side. So I don’t deserve credit, it has been a whole team effort. What I bring to the table is my 18 experience as a player and how I relate that to the players,” he said.

When asked if the situation during the other day when Dhoni was batting at the Wankhede reminded him of anything, Mahela said, “No, not really, because we have played each other so many times and for so many years. He is a fantastic player. What he has contributed to the game is special. The way he has gone about his career so far is fantastic. I have enjoyed playing him as an opponent. He is still a dangerous batsman, it was great to see him at the Wankhede. He did not damage us too much like he did the other day. It is great to see him going strong.’

The question was obviously in reference to the World Cup final loss and the former Sri Lankan captain said it was a difficult thing to digest but they have moved on from that. “Yes, I know. It was a long time ago. India played better cricket and won. Anyone losing the World Cup is a tough one, but we have moved on,” said Jayawardena.