IPL 2021: MI batsmen must do better in middle overs, but slow track doesn't help - Rohit Sharma

Rohit Sharma has implored his Mumbai Indians (MI) batsmen to do better in the middle-overs after their IPL 2021 win vs Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) on Saturday. The MI skipper had provided a solid start to his team along with Quinton de Kock. However, after the duo’s dismissal, the remaining batsmen couldn’t capitalise on a good start. Only a late surge from Kieron Pollard’s took the team to 150/5 in 20 overs. “I think we can bat better in the middle overs. All these guys have played a lot of cricket on pitches like these. So, there are areas to work on,” Rohit said after the match.

“At the same time, don’t want to be too harsh on the guys. The slowishness of the deck doesn’t allow batsmen to come and slog straightaway. So one set batter carrying through is needed, which is what’s not happening for all of the teams that have played here,” added Sharma.

“Polly (Pollard) has done it for so many years for us at the back end. We have the confidence in him. It’s all about him getting some time in the middle.”

Sharma was also full of praises for the bowling unit for being able to defend what was at best a slightly below-par score.

“It was a great effort from the bowling unit. We knew it wasn’t going to be easy. On that pitch, when you’re bowling well, it’s not easy,” added Sharma.

Dream11 GameChanger of the Match between @mipaltan and @SunRisers is Trent Boult.@Dream11 #TeamHaiTohMazaaHai #VIVOIPL pic.twitter.com/yW8SRphdYG

— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) April 17, 2021

This was the third successive time SRH lost a match in the IPL 2021 after looking like they would easily take down the target after having got a good start.

SRH had earlier messed up the chase against Kolkata Knight Riders in the opening encounter and then lost their next match to Royal Challengers Bangalore.

The fortunes of both sides could not be more contrasting at this moment.