IPL 2021: “It’s important to win tournaments, not the first game” – Rohit Sharma reacts after loss against RCB

IPL 2021: “It’s important to win tournaments, not the first game” – Rohit Sharma reacts after loss against RCB

Rohit Sharma

Mumbai Indians (MI) fell in the first game to Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) as the Indian Premier League (IPL) returned to India with a bang by treating fans to a last-ball thriller. MI were put in to bat by RCB and it was Harshal Patel‘s excellent bowling at the death that saw him pick up five wickets which proved to be the game-changer as it restricted MI to just 159.

In the chase, RCB were cruising through Virat Kohli and Glenn Maxwell‘s knocks when both their dismissals meant that it was left to AB de Villiers to lead them home. That was exactly what the South African did by taking them close before falling to a run-out in the last over. With one run needed from one ball, Harshal Patel fittingly hit the winning runs to seal it.

Rohit Sharma reacts on RCB’s victory

MI vs RCB
Royal Challengers Bangalore celebrate the wicket of Rohit Sharma

MI captain Rohit Sharma spoke at the post-match presentation about RCB’s win and said, “That’s the most important thing I guess (to win tournaments). Not the first game. I thought it was a great effort.. great fight till the end. I thought we were 20 runs short with the kind of start we got. We made some mistakes in the first game, bound to happen. He’s (Jansen) a talent we have identified to bowl in any situation.”

“Definitely not an easy pitch to bat on. We need to identify the situations and get variations. AB was brilliant and got them home. In hindsight you can say it takes time to get intensity. But there are fresh faces. Lot of players were playing international cricket and we have not had time to get to know each other very well,” he added.

Speaking about the bio-bubble and the new caravan format of the tournament, Rohit said, “It can be difficult for teams who have great home record but that’s the challenge of the sport (about playing in neutral venues). But we are fortunate enough to be able to be on the park and put some smiles on the faces of people in India. The country is going through tough times. Give them something to look forward to.”

The IPL continues with a match between Chennai Super Kings and Delhi Capitals tomorrow.

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