Malinga's absence is a great opportunity for Bumrah: Rohit Sharma

Mumbai Indians never had a reputation of being a dominant team throughout an IPL season. We have seen Mumbai fumbling out when they were whiskers away from a semi-final spot in 2008, whereas we have seen them taking home the trophy in the previous season in spite of losing 5 consecutive matches during the start of the season.

This time around, however, they were hammered by the newly formed Rising Pune Supergiants in the season opener at the Wankhede a few days ago. While from the fans’ perspective an MI loss can be considered as an auspicious start, the same cannot be considered as far as the players’ perspective is concerned.
Rohit Sharma, Mumbai Indians’ captain, remains positive ahead of Mumbai’s away game at the Eden Gardens against Kolkata Knight Riders on Wednesday, by shrugging off the season-opener defeat against RPSG.

Rohit said, “This is a professional unit you don’t need to motivate anyone. The performance (in the last game) was not something we wanted. It was disappointing but things like this can happen. You cannot get demotivated, you have to get stronger and look forward. What has happened has happened, don’t want to carry any baggage,” he said, remaining positive despite a poor outing against RPSG. “Want to be the best we can. We got back to the drawing board decided what we can’t afford as a team and rectified our mistakes. Hopefully we will have a better game tomorrow.”

Additionally, Mumbai Indians are under a spot of bother due to Lasith Malinga’s fitness. Malinga has been out of action for the past 3-4 months due to his recurring knee injury, and the Sri Lankan bowler’s participation in the initial stages of the tournament is unlikely. However, Rohit keeps his faith in Malinga’s protege, Jasprit Bumrah, to come out good in the coming matches.

“It is a fantastic opportunity (for Bumrah). Malinga is not available for next few weeks. We have to see his fitness, definitely not playing Wednesday’s game. We are keeping a track how he is progressing. Bumrah has evolved in the last couple of months. You must have seen him in Australia. He bowled well and then carried his performance in the Asia Cup and the World T20,” Rohit told the media in Kolkata earlier today.

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