‘Bumrah is a massive asset’

Mumbai Indians are one team that know not only how to win big games, but also to rise like a phoenix when seemingly in a hopeless position. Known to be slow starters in the IPL, they have the knack of recovering to make a strong comeback and also go on to win the title. It has been a similar case for them in the ongoing tournament. They were on the verge of being knocked out, but with a resolute display, especially after the entry of fit-again Jasprit Bumrah, they are now just a couple of wins away from securing their sixth IPL title. 

MI’s winning culture

After MI defeated Gujarat Titans by 20 runs in the Eliminator here on Friday night to make it to the Qualifier 2, their head coach, Mahela Jayawardene, was asked at the media interaction what made the team so strong when up against the wall. The former Sri Lankan captain put it to the core group of experienced players and the winning culture they passed on to the younger generation. “Well, when you have a winning culture, it is easier to try and have that same thing going through [year after year]. Even when we got a new group, we still have a very experienced core group within our ranks. So, the conversations that we have are on how we can get better? How can we push through? That winning mentality itself comes through from these senior players and having that experience, guys who have won trophies do help and my job is to try and cultivate that for the new guys who are in the side.”

Mahela Jayawardene 

‘Rohit was brilliant’ 

Jayawardene also praised the brilliant innings of 81 by Rohit Sharma, the senior-most player and the most successful captain MI have had. “Like I said, all the senior players that we have are a luxury for us. They have been with Mumbai for many years. Rohit was brilliant. I mean, in big games, he does have a different gear that he plays in. That is what experience does and that cannot be replaced. So, hopefully, we will have a couple of more knocks from him this season. That is what I am looking forward to.”

MI have been a different team ever since Jasprit Bumrah returned to the fold after recovering from an injury. He is bowling at his best again and remains a key player in MI’s race to the final. The MI coach acknowledged the role the pacer has played in the team’s revival thus far. “He is a massive asset for us, the experience that he carries through to the team and the situation that he has been bowling for us as well. It is great to have him around the group, the experience that he brings, like talking to [pace bowler] Ashwini Kumar in that last over. That’s why he is such an important player for us.”

This article first appeared on Mid Day