IPL 2021, SRH vs MI: Rohit Sharma wins toss, opts to bat as stern test beckons

Mumbai Indians skipper Rohit Sharma backed his players to go out and get the job done against Sunrisers Hyderabad.

Rohit Sharma plays a shot, Image credit: Twitter
By Arnab Mukherji | Oct 8, 2021 | 3 Min Read follow icon Follow Us

Mumbai Indians (MI) skipper Rohit Sharma has won the toss and opted to bat in Match 55 of the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021 against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH). Rohit winning the toss is certainly a boost to the hopes of fans of the defending champions, with the team still in the running for a spot in the playoffs. However, the margin of triumph expected and the runs to be accumulated are certainly quite a challenge even for the greatest of teams. MI need to record a triumph by a margin of 171 runs. They further need to bowl out SRH for a score that is less than 100, even in case the defending champions post a mammoth total in excess of 250 runs on the board.

“Going to bat first, no choice”

Rohit certainly accepted that the odds were against his side, but refused to rule out a historic triumph.

“We are going to bat first, no choice (smiles). The numbers are pretty scary, but we are going to give it all. Let’s hope we can come out and do what we love to do. It’s important to enjoy the game as well. It’s been an on and off season for us. This is a great opportunity for us to do something that’s never been done before. Our batters have’t come collectively and performed as a team in the UAE leg. But these guys have done exceedingly well for respective teams. Just can happen. Two changes. Getting Krunal back and Piyush Chawla back. No Tiwary and Jayant Yadav,” he stated as quoted by Cricbuzz.

SRH are being led by Manish Pandey, who is leading a franchise in the popular tournament for the first time.

“My first game as IPL captain. Last minute call. Kane had a niggle on his elbow, Bhuvi has a niggle too. We would have batted first too. We will look to bowl first and look to give Bombay little chance. I know they are going to come all guns blazing but we are ready,” said Manish.

“Let’s go all out”

MI batsman Suryakumar Yadav stated that the players will follow the same approach they would have maintained for any other clash.

“Nothing changes, everything remains the same, all routines, all processes same. You get up, you follow everything, whatever you have been doing for the last 8-10 years, so everything remains the same. Contribution for the team – that has been a little disturbing from my side because since the last 2-3 seasons I have been always trying to be there whenever the team required. This year I have not been part of contributions so that’s been hurting a lot more. But the show must go on. Staying consistent is the key at this point of my career. Trying to be always there whenever the team requires and contributing to the team’s victory – that’s the most important thing which I have been working on. (On today’s encounter) We’ll see, let’s go all out and decide what’s gonna happen,” he said.

Lineups:

Sunrisers Hyderabad (Playing XI): Jason Roy, Abhishek Sharma, Manish Pandey(c), Priyam Garg, Abdul Samad, Wriddhiman Saha(w), Jason Holder, Rashid Khan, Mohammad Nabi, Umran Malik, Siddarth Kaul.

Mumbai Indians (Playing XI): Rohit Sharma(c), Ishan Kishan(w), Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya, Kieron Pollard, Krunal Pandya, James Neesham, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Jasprit Bumrah, Piyush Chawla, Trent Boult.





Related Post

HIGHLIGHTS

Buzzwords