Rohit Sharma stood up when the team needed it, says JP Duminy

Mumbai Indians’ might have patented the ‘comeback kings’ tag in the Indian Premier League (IPL). They are known for rising from the ashes and are doing just that in the eleventh edition of the tournament. However, their skipper Rohit Sharma is not in the form his fans would want him to be, but his teammate JP Duminy has come out to back his skipper.

Sharma has scored just 231 runs in 10 matches he has played so far at an average of less than 30, something people do not expect from a player of his calibre. His only notable innings came against Royal Challengers Bangalore when he smashed 94 runs. However, he will face Kolkata Knight Riders today (May 9) at his happy hunting ground, Eden Gardens, and Duminy feels Rohit will deliver when the team needs him the most.

“Rohit’s performance hasn’t been as high as he has set the standard but for me, it’s about performances when the team has needed it. For me, that’s been the crucial part of each contribution. He stood up when the team needed it. I remember against RCB at Wankhede, when we lost two wickets, he stood up and scored a 94 not out and it’s probably the best I’ve seen him bat. Those are crucial moments from a team’s point of view,” said the man from Strandfontein, Cape Town, as per quotes in Cricbuzz.

“When adversities hit the team, that’s when leadership mentality comes through. That’s when the team follows you when they see that our captain is standing up so I’ve got to follow him. I don’t think any of us in the team will judge him by the overall performance. My thing is about how you perform in pressure moments and he has been outstanding,” the 34-year-old veteran further added.

Hardik Pandya has had the same demeanour in success and failure, feels Duminy

While Sharma is not having a great year, Hardik Pandya is wrecking heavy with his bowling. Speaking about the performance of all-rounder, JP said “I’ve played against him. He’s an exceptional talent and one of the characters that back himself in pressure situations. I think those are the players you need especially at this time in the tournament. You want these pressure players to step up and execute their skills to their best of abilities. I think the way he has executed has been exceptional and has been calm under pressure. He has had the same demeanour in success and failure.”

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