We are a team that knows how to win the trophy: Rohit Sharma

Mumbai Indians began their IPL campaign on a losing note just like last year, justifying the tag of a slow starters. The Mumbai franchise went down to Pune Supergiants by nine wickets in the IPL opener. But, the losing start to the tournament has not bothered skipper Rohit Sharma, who says that that his side will bounce back from the defeat and gather momentum as the tournament progresses as they know how to “win the trophy and games”.

“It (the loss) was disappointing; the performance we had is not something we would want. But things like this can happen. What has happened has happened and we don’t want to carry any baggage. We have gone back to the drawing board and decided what we can’t afford as a team. We have rectified our mistakes. Hopefully we have a better game here,” Rohit said on the eve of their match against Kolkata Knight Riders.

“We are a team that knows what we to do to win the trophy and win games. This is a professional unit and you don’t need to motivate the team. Everyone knows what is expected. You can’t get demotivated. You have to come back stronger. That is the only way going forward,” he added.

Rohit said that the first few games are always challenging because every team needs sometime some time to settle down.

“The first few games are always challenging because as a group you are all trying to get together and play as a team which is difficult for every team, not just Mumbai Indians. That is a challenge for us as well. The first few weeks will be a big challenge, to get the right combination and field your best team,” he said.

Rohit also said that they don’t wasn’t to be a slo starters and wish to win as many games as possible in the first half.

“People are there to comment but we want to concentrate on our processes. People will judge and talk because we are probably one of the popular teams in IPL history and we have proved that in our performances. People have the right to talk about it but we don’t want to be slow starters. We want to win as many games as possible in the first half and see what happens afterwards. It is still early days. We want to work hard and concentrate on what lies ahead of us.”

Mumbai Indians face Kolkata Knight Riders tonight. Talking about the upcoming match, Rohit said, “We will be playing KKR at their home ground and they know the conditions better. They play well as a team here in this ground. We have to combat all the challenges and we are up for it. It will be a good game.”

He said it’s the opening slot he cherished the most as he’s been doing that for last three years. “It’s going to be important to get the balance and position of each player right where they have batted for their state/country. I have been batting for three years as an opener and would like to continue that for the remainder of the series.

“Everything depends on the balance. If I feel that me batting at the top is not right for the team, I will come down
as a middle order batsman. If it helps the team, I am ready to do whatever it takes to help the team win,” said the
28-year-old.

He said leading from the front as a captain was a big responsibility and he always cherished it. “It will be no different this year as well. I will try and do the same. We have got a great squad and great depth in our batting. Along with me there are a few other guys who have played international cricket and proved themselves in the international circuit. We have to share the responsibility.

“It can’t be just one person to win the whole tournament. Last year we hardly had anyone in top five run getters’ list
which shows everyone contributed and shared responsibility. You will have individual brilliance at times but to win the tournament it has to come form everyone,” said the skipper.

“Not just one person. For us, the past three years that is the reason we had so much success. I would expect to share
the same and step up as a leader and perform in every game I can.”

Mumbai Indians faced a setback when it was reported that their pace spearhead Lasith Malinga will be unavailable for the first half of the tournament. However, at the same time, the side received a boost when big-hitting West Indies batsman Kieron Pollard returned to the team from an injury layoff. But, comeback game was not great as he scored only one run off 8 balls. The skipper, however, backed the all-rounder and said that he cannot be written off after just one game.

“He (Pollard) needs to be judged after the first half of the tournament. He looks fit and wants to go out and express himself. He could not do that in the last game but a player like him cannot be written off after one game. He is a match-winner for us and he has proved it over the years. It will be no different this year,” Rohit said.

“He is raring to go and there is no doubt about it. Even a couple of years back he had the same injury with his knee.

“You always want to get out on the field and get a feel of it but that is never going to be easy. But he joined the team a week before and trained. He is looking good and you cannot actually judge a player like him after one game.”