Published: Apr 26, 2016, 01:39 PM (IST)
Edited: Apr 26, 2016, 01:48 PM (IST)
Mumbai Indians (MI) were back on track after a thrilling win by 25-runs against Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) on Monday after setting a target of 190 runs. Though, KXIP batting order crumbled it was the bowling department who did their job. One person who stood out for his performance was Mohit Sharma, claiming two crucial wickets of Kieron Pollard and Hardik Pandya off successive balls in last over and conceded just 4 from that over to restrict MI to 189. Despite two crucial wickets, he conceded 38 runs by the end of 4 overs that caused a bit of worry for KXIP. His third wicket was also an important one of Jos Buttler. Even if he claimed three wickets unlike the last match against Rising Pune Supergiants (RPS) keeping them restricted, MI was successful to go set target of 189. Full Cricket Scorecard: Kings XI Punjab vs Mumbai Indians, IPL 2016 Match 21 at Mohali
While speaking to IplT20.com, Mohit spoke about bowling in death overs and making changes for further matches. Mohit mentioned his last over was dependent on the situation at the time of play, “Actually the plan is as per how the wicket is behaving at the time and what the situation is. Since the wicket was slow I had thought that I wouldn’t give pace (to the batsman to hit) and bowl slower and mix up the deliveries so that I don’t become predictable. That worked and my last over was good, but before that I had conceded boundaries. Although Sandeep Sharma bowled well the rest of our bowlers conceded some easy boundaries. Mitchell Johnson bowled a very good second-last over and the way the last over went we covered it up a bit.”
Mohit is also working on his slower deliveries and different variations depending on the wicket during the match, “It depends on the situation at the time (in the match) and how the wicket is reacting. If the wicket is slow then you can bowl the slower balls because then the batsman doesn’t get pace (to use) and so it is not easy to hit that ball. But if the wicket is good your slower ball doesn’t work and you would have to use your yorkers. You have to mix-up your deliveries.”
He was also asked about his preparations for death overs and Mohit said, “You have to practice for situations and batsmen and practice as much as you can. Joey creates the environment during practice sessions, for eg: (simulate a situation where) a certain batsman is batting in the death overs and (plan) how you will keep it tight. I think that is important because you have to practice and implement that in the match.”
KXIP are hopeful to make comeback in the next few games and looking to get better with every game, “The boys have been doing well but we go wrong in one of the areas (not clicking together). For example while we were doing well with the ball in earlier matches we didn’t do so well today (against MI), but our batting did well today. Glenn Maxwell has been able to score well today and David Miller also looked good. Hopefully we will be able to comeback. Everyone is working hard and if we get one or two good victories we will be able to make a comeback.”
