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IPL 2016: Rohit Sharma disappointed with Mumbai Indians fielding against Rising Pune Supergiants at Pune

Mumbai Indians eased through comfortable win against Rising Pune Supergiants by 8-wickets in Match 29 of IPL 2016.

Mumbai Indians skipper scored fifth half-century against Rising Pune Supergiants at Pune © AFP
Mumbai Indians skipper scored fifth half-century against Rising Pune Supergiants at Pune © AFP

Though Mumbai Indians (MI) did win yet another must win match against Rising Pune Supergiants (RPS) by 8-wickets on Sunday with skipper Rohit Sharma’s fifth half-century and Jasprit Bumrah’s bowling performance, there were lapses that could have been avoided in Match 29 of IPL 2016 at Pune. The skipper did appreciate the good performance of batsmen and bowlers, but was disappointed with the fielding during the match. While speaking to the media person after the match, Rohit said, “One part where we are focused on is our fielding, there are no excuses there. We have to be the best fielding team in this whole competition. We have discussed that at the beginning of the tournament.” FULL CRICKET SCORECARD: Rising Pune Supergiants vs Mumbai Indians, IPL 2016, Match 29 at Pune

“Batting and bowling are sometimes not in your hands, but fielding is. So, I think, we have to put in a lot of effort, and guys are doing that in their training, sometimes, as I said, it comes off and sometimes it doesn’t. Obviously, (there were) a lot of dropped catches, mis-fielding. At the end of the day, it’s a sport and everybody is trying to give their 100 percent. Today wasn’t the day for the fielders.”

There were dropped catches, mis-field and so much so that there was heated argument between Harbhajan Singh and team mate Ambati Rayudu on field during the match. Harbhajan made no attempts to hide his anger when Rayudu, despite putting in a dive, could not prevent a hit from Saurabh Tiwary from crossing the boundary. Later, when Peter Handscomb was dismissed by Harbhajan, it seemed the differences were worked out as a smiling Rayudu celebrated the wicket with the bowler, as reported on cricbuzz.  Rohit was asked about this incident as well and he went on to mention, “There was no discussion. I think Bhajji just wanted Rayudu to be a little squarer, so he went there and explained it to him. There was nothing else,” Rohit said. ALSO READ: Rohit becomes 2nd Indian to score 6,000 T20 runs during IPL 2016

Rohit was over all pleased with the team mates performance that helped MI to climb to No.2 spot in points table, “Lot of credit to the bowlers, the bowlers have shown again and again that we’ve got quality in our bowling and they’ve come again and again and proved themselves. (It’s) is a good sign and always makes the life of a captain easier on the field when you have bowlers like those in your armoury. With the batting, I think, (it was) the perfect start although we lost a wicket in the fourth over. [Ambati] Rayudu and myself, both of us created a fifty-run partnership that was crucial and then [Jos] Buttler came and did what he is known for.”

Asked if MI are happy with their current position, Rohit replied: “Absolutely, we are happy, considering the way we started. The first five games, I think we only won two and lost three, and then it was up and down. Now, the graph is going up, which is good to see. This tournament is too unpredictable and anything can happen on any given day. Other than Gujarat Lions (GL), I think the teams are just there and thereabout. We’ve played nine games now, we’ve got a good six-seven days off now. It’s good to get a little time away from cricket and get your mind refreshed and come back as a fresher unit.”

MI will now play their next match in their new home ground venue Visakhapatnam on May 8. They are already No.2 in points table and have played maximum matches which mean the game is just getting tougher and anything is possible in this edition of IPL.

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