Mahela Jayawardene, the head coach of Mumbai Indians, talked about choosing Rohit Sharma as an ‘impact sub.’ He mentioned that it wasn’t the original plan but seemed necessary because the team needed players who could bowl and run fast in the field. Rohit had also been dealing with some soreness from India’s Champions Trophy win.
Jayawardene explained, “It wasn’t planned from the start. Rohit played in some games, but we considered the team setup. Many guys are taking on multiple roles, and we need fast boundary runners at certain venues.” He added that they didn’t want to overwork Rohit since his batting is crucial.
Jayawardene praised Rohit for his involvement, saying he’s been very active in the dugout and during timeouts, contributing both on and off the field. He also mentioned that pairing Rohit with Ryan Rickelton as openers has really helped the team. Openers are key in setting the tone, and a good start really helps with their batting lineup.
He noted that even though Rohit hasn’t scored big runs recently, he still aims to provide quick contributions, like scoring quick 20s or 30s. Jayawardene also commented on Jasprit Bumrah, saying his bowling pace has improved significantly. Bumrah is recovering well, showing good control and confidence.
Looking ahead, Jayawardene said that playing two of their last three games at home could benefit Mumbai as they aim for the playoffs. He emphasized he’s not worrying about potential playoff matchups just yet, especially with other teams still in the mix.
