Latest news with #IPLEliminator
Hindustan Times
7 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Rohit Sharma's cold-blooded response to young kid's childlike query; cheeky message to IPL opponents: ‘Nahi ho sakta'
Former Mumbai Indians skipper Rohit Sharma is focused on helping his team win their sixth IPL trophy on the field, but off it, he remains a jovial character. The swashbuckling opener has already played a pivotal role in the Mumbai Indians' qualification for the playoffs, and he is in no mood to stop before lifting another trophy. A short clip went viral on social media ahead of the MI's qualifier 2 against Punjab Kings, where Rohit can be seen spending time with some young kids off the field. The star batter shared a lighthearted moment with a young fan. When the child asked, "Sir aapko kaise out karne ka? (Sir how to get you out?)," Rohit humorously replied, "Nahi wo nahi ho sakta" ("No, that cannot happen"). It could be a cheeky message for his opponents in the tournament. This playful exchange occurred as Rohit, dressed in his MI kit, interacted with young fans wearing team jerseys. The video of this interaction quickly gained attention on social media. Meanwhile, Rohit had a mixed season before the playoffs. He started the season underwhelming, and started picking up form in the second half. He turned up big in the eliminator against Gujarat Titans with a stellar performance with the bat, scoring 81 runs off 50 balls, contributing to MI's total of 228/5. His innings, featuring nine boundaries and four sixes, earned him the Player of the Match award and helped MI secure a 20-run victory to set up qualifier 2 against Punjab Kings. He was thrilled to play a pivotal role in Mumbai Indians' crucial win in the IPL Eliminator, though he admitted he would have liked to notch up more half-centuries than the four he has managed so far this season. 'I've got only four fifties (this IPL season). I think I would have liked to get more. I do understand the importance of playing the Eliminator and it was a complete team performance,' said Rohit during the post-match presentation. He has also found a new opening partner in Jonny Bairstow for the playoffs after Ryan Rickelton left for South Africa for World Test Championship preparations. Rohit and Bairstow didn't waste any time to show strong signs of a solid opening pair with an 84-run stand versus the Titans. 'I've watched Bairstow over the years from the other side. We know what he can do upfront with the bat. He took his chances, and it came off. We always look for that kind of start,' said Rohit.
Mint
7 hours ago
- Sport
- Mint
MI vs PBKS Qualifier 2 injury update: Will Yuzvendra Chahal and Deepak Chahar play today?
Mumbai Indians are all set to face off against the Punjab Kings at the Qualifier 2 match of IPL 2025 in Ahmedabad. The Hardik Pandya led franchise had got to this spot after winning the Eliminator clash against the Gujarat Titans while PBKS will have another shot at reaching the IPL Final after facing a drubbing at the hands of Royal Challengers Bengaluru in their last clash. However, both the teams have been marred by injuries with PBKS losing Yuzvendra Chahal in the last few matches due to a wrist injury while MI not having the services of pacer Deepak Chahar due to a leg injury. The good news for Punjab Kings fans is that Chahal, who has been out of action since 18 May, is likely to have regained full fitness. According to ESPNCricinfo, he was seen wearing wrist protection during a training session on the eve of the crucial match. Chahal reportedly played football, took some catches and threw a few balls, as well as bowling a couple of overs into an empty net. As for Chahar, the report states that the pacer had padding under and above his left knee. He was seen warming up and jogging in Ahmedabad, and the report notes that Chahar's comeback will depend on how he feels when he wakes up on Sunday. Meanwhile, Reece Topley was the only other player to make it to the stadium on Saturday, suggesting that Richard Gleeson — who made his debut in Chahar's place during the IPL Eliminator match — is unlikely to play in Qualifier 2. With 36 runs needed off the last two overs against Gujarat Titans, Gleeson did a very good job of restricting the GT batters with three consecutive dot balls before walking off the field due to injury.
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Business Standard
a day ago
- Sport
- Business Standard
Winning mindset matters in big games, says Jayawardene on MI team culture
The winning culture that Mumbai Indians have built over the years with their core group of players does help them perform in high-pressure situations, said head coach Mahela Jayawardene after their tight win over Gujarat Titans in the IPL Eliminator here. Having won five titles, the storied franchise is one step away from reaching another IPL final. With Sai Sudharsan looking unstoppable in the middle, Titans were on course to chase down 229 in the knock-out game on Friday but individual brilliance from the likes of Jasprit Bumrah enabled Mumbai Indians to get over the line. Like they usually do, Mumbai Indians were slow starters this season before lifting their game in the second half of the tournament. Jaywardene gave his thoughts on what makes them tick on the big stage. "Well, when you have a winning culture, it is easier to try and have that same thing going through. Even when you get a new group, we still have a very experienced co-group within our ranks. "So, the conversations that we have, planning and everything is about, how can we get better, how can we push through," he said referring to the core including Rohit Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya and Bumrah, who have been part of the team's triumphant campaigns over the years. The seniors know all about winning and they try to inculcate the same spirit in the youngsters who join the squad. "That winning mentality itself comes through from those senior players and having that experience, guys who have won trophies does help and my job is to try and cultivate that for the new guys who are coming into the spot. "After the big auction, we had quite a few new faces, but I think telling them about the history of Mumbai and how we go, how we operate and have that attitude that we will never die from a situation, we will always fight through. So, I think that is shown today," said the Sri Lankan great. Bumrah massive asset for us, Rohit showed he is made for big stage While Bumrah got them back in the match by castling Washington Sundar with a yorker, Rohit rode his luck early to make 81 off 50 balls after being dropped twice in the powerplay. On the lead pacer, who returned from a long injury lay-off in the middle of the season, Mahela said: Tthere are definitely no concerns when he comes back because the reputation itself carries through and he was quite confident. "He had bowled few sessions, he was nailing those yorkers and all that. 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, talking to Ashwini (left-arm pacer) in that last over (of the match)." Mahela said Rohit's hand at the top of the order was equally important. "Rohit was brilliant. He let Johnny take control initially and then when he knew it was his time and the bowler then he picked and he got into a brilliant tempo. "The pressure that he put on the two spinners, especially Sai and Rashid in that situation was absolutely brilliant and that is what Rohit does. Big games he does have a different gear that he plays. That is what experience does and he cannot replace that." He also said rookie pacer Ashwani Kumar is a fine talent and needs to be groomed properly by the franchise. Didn't expect heavy dew The heavy dew in the second half of the game aided Sudharsan and Washington who were collecting boundaries at will in the run chase. Mahela said they forced to change their plans considering the unexpected dew. "I didn't anticipate dew because I was here practising and knew yesterday's game as well (Qualifier 1), there wasn't much dew. "I looked at the wicket, we had a chat, we felt that against this opposition that batting first is the right call. So, we played tactically, brilliantly, the way we batted, the tempo was great and we put runs on the board and took that early wicket of Shubman as well, which was a massive one. "But halfway stage, I saw the dew coming we had to make a call, there was a, like planning wise, we were thinking, long boundaries, the way we gripped, the leg spinner might be an option for us, but we then took that out and then bowl Ashwini. "Changed our plans to bowl yorkers, as much as we can, because the balls were skidding through." Mahela praises Sudharsan Mahela has been left impressed with the way Sudharsan batted this season. He backed the left-hander to do well on his maiden Test tour of England. "Well, I have enjoyed his batting. I have to be honest, he is a good lefty, good cricketing shots, has a good head on his shoulder as well. "So, I am sure he will do well. It will be a challenge in England, like we have all done that in the past, but I think he will find a way to do what he needs to do," Mahela added.
The Hindu
a day ago
- Sport
- The Hindu
Getting back to basics of red-ball cricket will take some time: Sai Sudharsan
A tinge of despondency was writ large on B. Sai Sudharsan's face as he walked into the press conference hall of the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh Stadium for the post-match formalities on Friday. The 23-year-old had put every ounce of effort, smashing a breathtaking 80 for Gujarat Titans in a chase of 229 against Mumbai Indians in the IPL Eliminator. But it wasn't enough. This was an IPL season where the Tamil Nadu batter entrenched his status as a prodigious talent. The southpaw is the tournament's highest run-getter, compiling 759 runs in 15 innings at a strike rate of 156.17. But he admitted that his team faltering at this stage will rankle. 'It is good to see that I was consistent for my team, but when the job is not finished, you do not get that ultimate satisfaction. Definitely, there is a lot of disappointment in the environment,' he told reporters. His focus will now shift to the baptism by fire that a maiden Test call-up for a tour of England is. He will get one game for India-A against England Lions, starting June 6, before the Test series. 'I think it is all about mindset and decision making,' he said when asked to look ahead. 'Definitely, after a long three months of a white-ball tournament, certain things would have changed in your batting. I think focusing more on basics and bringing back those to red-ball cricket will take some time, I think we will have some good time before the series starts.' He hopes that his County stint with Surrey holds him in good stead. 'My County stint gave me a great experience. It improved my batting by multiple folds in terms of technique and in terms of basics. It should help me and I will focus more on what I learned there before going into the series.'
News18
a day ago
- Sport
- News18
'Attitude Is To Never Give Up': Jayawardene Hails Mumbai Indians' Winning Mentality
Last Updated: Mumbai Indians' head coach Mahela Jayawardene credits their winning culture and core players for their success in high-pressure IPL matches. Mumbai Indians' head coach Mahela Jayawardene attributed the team's ability to perform in high-pressure situations to the winning culture they have developed over the years with their core group of players. This was evident after their narrow win over Gujarat Titans in the IPL Eliminator. Having won five titles, the franchise is now just one step away from reaching another IPL final. Despite Titans being on track to chase down 229 runs, thanks to Sai Sudharsan's formidable performance, individual brilliance from players like Jasprit Bumrah helped Mumbai Indians secure the win. Typically, Mumbai Indians were slow starters this season but significantly improved their performance in the latter half of the tournament. Reflecting on their success, Jayawardene explained the importance of their winning mentality. 'When you have a winning culture, it's easier to maintain it. Even with new players, we have an experienced core group," he said, referring to key players such as Rohit Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya, and Bumrah, who have been part of the team's victorious campaigns over the years. These senior players are instrumental in passing on the winning spirit to the newcomers. 'The winning mentality comes from these senior players, and my role is to instill it in the new guys," he added. 'After the big auction, we had many new faces, but we made sure they understood the history and ethos of Mumbai Indians. Our attitude is to never give up, and that was evident today." Bumrah, who returned from a long injury layoff mid-season, played a pivotal role by dismissing Washington Sundar with a yorker. Rohit also showcased his talent by scoring 81 off 50 balls despite being dropped twice in the powerplay. Jayawardene had no doubts about Bumrah's return. 'There were no concerns when he came back. His reputation and confidence were evident. He's an invaluable asset, bringing experience and guidance to the team," he said. Jayawardene also praised Rohit's crucial performance at the top of the order. 'Rohit was brilliant. He allowed Johnny to take control initially, then picked his moment to dominate. He put pressure on the spinners at the right time, showing his big-game temperament." He also mentioned rookie pacer Ashwani Kumar as a promising talent who needs proper nurturing by the franchise. The unexpected heavy dew in the second half of the game helped Sudharsan and Washington with their run chase. 'We didn't expect dew as there wasn't much in the previous game. We decided to bat first tactically, and it worked well. But the dew made us change our plans midway," Jayawardene explained. 'We planned to use a leg spinner but switched to yorkers with Ashwini due to the conditions." Jayawardene was impressed with Sudharsan's batting this season and is optimistic about his performance in his maiden Test tour of England. 'I have enjoyed watching him bat. He's a good left-hander with solid cricketing shots and a good head on his shoulders. I'm sure he will do well in England, despite the challenges," he concluded. (with PTI Inputs) First Published:
