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IPL 2017: “Individual brilliance wins you matches, teamwork wins you championships,” says Rohit Sharma

This was Mumbai Indians' third title, but Rising Pune Supergiant, who had already beaten MI thrice in the tournament, had to settle for the second place in only their second season.

Rohit Sharma became the first captain to lead a side to three IPL titles © BCCI
Rohit Sharma became the first captain to lead a side to three IPL titles © BCCI

Rohit Sharma laid his hands on the coveted Indian Premier League (IPL) title once again when Mumbai Indians (MI) beat Rising Pune Supergiant (RPS) by 1 run in a low-scoring affair. This was MI’s third title, but RPS, who had already beaten MI thrice in the tournament, had to settle for the second place in only their second season. Rohit, who was not particularly in good form in the tournament, believes that teamwork wins tournaments, while individual brilliance will win you just matches, and that is exactly what happened to MI this season. MI finished at top of the table in the group stages this time, just ahead of RPS. Full Cricket Scorecard: Rising Pune Supergiant vs Mumbai Indians, IPL 2017 Final at Hyderabad

“I feel individual brilliance can win you a few games, but what is required to win a championship is team unity and team work. These are the factors which I believe personally is very critical to win a championship,” Rohit said in the post-match press conference. Rohit feels that is important to get the combinations right at the early stages of the tournament and that all three MI titles have been special for him. “All three titles are special. I personally feel it is how you prepare at the start of the tournament, getting your combinations right. I feel that is the most critical part of winning a tournament,” he said.

Mitchell Johnson had 11 runs to defend in the final over of the match. Rohit praised the veteran Australian bowler for a superb performance, who finished with figures of 3 for 26 from his 4 overs.  “We got some proven match-winners in our squad. Mitchell Johnson is a proven customer. He [Johnson] proved again and again playing for Australia and he has done it for Mumbai as well. He has been in that atmosphere before for us. Yes, I could happily rely on him when I needed the most. The last over was very crucial. It was fantastic to have him throughout the season,” the Mumbai skipper said. READ: IPL 2017 Final: Knew Johnson would take MI home, says Bumrah

When quizzed about MI’s strategy against a set Steven Smith, Rohit said, “There was no specific strategy. We just wanted to make it difficult by not giving him [Smith] pace. What we saw, he was trying to use the pace of bowlers. That’s something me and Johnson discussed. He [Johnson] was bowling against the wind. So, we wanted Smith to hit into the wind. That will make it difficult for him.”

Mumbai Indians managed to reach 129, but Rohit felt they were about 20 to 30 runs short. He also praised Lasith Malinga, Jasprit Bumrah and Krunal Pandya for their excellent performances. “Our target on this wicket was 140 to 160. 160 on this wicket probably would have been a match-winning score,” he said.

“Cricket is all about experience. You will always have some experienced and proven match winners and some inexperienced in your squad. I personally felt at the start of the tournament, it’s always good to have five bowlers theory,” he said. Rohit said that thinking of becoming the Indian captain one day would be thinking “too far ahead.” READ: Parthiv credits Mitchell Johnson’s final-over heroics for Mumbai Indians’ (MI) success

“It’s thinking too far ahead. I don’t think too far ahead. When the opportunity comes, it comes. I will grab it with both hands,” he said.

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