Rohit Sharma had no illusions about his performance with the bat for Mumbai Indians on Thursday after scoring a sluggish 25 off 26 balls, an innings that included two sixes. The knock came during MI’s chase of a 200-plus target against Punjab Kings in Dharamsala.
It was far from a difficult pitch, as evidenced by opening partner Ryan Rickelton, who raced to 48 off just 23 deliveries.
MI eventually sealed the contest with a ball to spare, thanks largely to a blazing unbeaten 75 off 33 from Tilak Varma. Alongside Will Jacks, who remained unbeaten on 25 off 10, the young left-hander guided the five-time IPL champions over the line.
Later, in a dressing-room speech that has since gone viral, Rohit, in his trademark style, took a light-hearted dig at his own
innings.
“Guys, great win, it was a complete team effort with the bat. It was good to see everyone chip in while I was enjoying my bit of Test cricket,” Rohit quipped with a straight face, triggering laughter in the room.
He was, however, full of praise for Rickelton, whose aggressive start laid the platform for the chase.
“Rick, as always he’s been doing, was great to watch because that start to us was important. It was not an easy pitch but the way he played, I think that start gave us that momentum to take the innings forward so,” he said.
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