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Rohit Sharma stressed the importance of doing ‘simple things’ right during tough times after his Player of the Match performance against Chennai Super Kings, scoring 76 off 45 balls.
Rohit Sharma for Mumbai Indians. (Image: AFP)
Mumbai Indians (MI) senior batter Rohit Sharma spoke about how it was important for him to do the ‘simple things’ right when form wasn’t going his way, and it was ‘easy to start doubting yourself’ after his Player of the Match performance against rivals Chennai Super Kings (CSK) at the Wankhede Stadium on Sunday.
Rohit top-scored with a 45-ball 76 as MI chased down 177 in less than 16 overs. He hit four boundaries and six maximums in a near-flawless performance and his first unbeaten knock in a run chase. It was a brilliant turnaround of form, having failed to put up a single half-century in the previous six outings.
“After being here for such a long period of time, it’s easy to start doubting yourself and start doing different things,” Rohit said after the match. “For me, it was important to do simple things and have a clear mindset. It is important, that’s how we want to play and plan our innings. It was important for me to hold my shape and extend my arms, and when the ball was in my area, I had to do what I have been doing. (On coming in as the Impact player in the last 2-3 overs) It’s something we spoke about but 2-3 overs doesn’t make huge difference but it’s not easy when you haven’t fielded for 17 overs, that’s the thought process but I don’t mind that if I my team wants me to come straightaway and bat,” he added.
One of Rohit’s sixes went to the newly inaugurated Rohit Sharma Stand at the Wankhede Stadium.
“Looks far away that stand, I enjoyed being out there, for me it’s about staying out there and finishing the game, that’s what gives me the most satisfaction,” he said. “We are peaking at the right time, we have won three games in a row. It’s a huge honour, I mentioned about it as a young kid, we weren’t allowed to come to the stadium at some stage. But, having played all my cricket here, and now to have that stand, it’s a big honour. Whenever that name comes up, I don’t know how to react.”
