“Being the best is not the biggest challenge, your biggest challenge lies is staying at the top.” There are not many phrases which tell you the truth about sporting events than this line. This Indian Premier League 2014 will be a bigger challenge for Rohit Sharma and his Mumbai Indians side than any of the previous years. The target and the tag of ‘Champions’ is on the back of Rohit Sharma and his Mumbai Indians side and this IPL 2014 every team is aiming for it wanting the dethrone them and emerging as the new champions.
With Sachin Tendulkar no longer a part of Mumbai Indians, there is a huge void to fill not just for Mumbai Indians but for IPL 2014 as a whole. Though Sachin Tendulkar will be associated with the Mumbai Indians side in a non-playing role this IPL 2014 but the presence of the maestro on the pitch gave not only the players but the fans in the stadium a huge lift. This might just be one of the biggest yet unexpected challenges that Rohit Sharma might have to overcome in his first full season as the Mumbai Indians captain.
Rohit Sharma has always performed at the biggest moments, including last year’s IPL when Sachin Tendulkar stepped aside and Rohit Sharma was the man who surprisingly led the Mumbai Indians in a very capable manner eventually winning them the title. Having previously losing in the finals against Chennai Super Kings, Mumbai Indians avenged their revenge by demolishing the Men in Yellow in the finals last year.
Rohit Sharma was pivotal cog in the Deccan Chargers side which won the 2nd edition of the IPL, later being snatched up by Mumbai Indians and Rohit Sharma did not disappoint by replicating similar performances to relive the IPL triumph with Mumbai Indians. Having scored over 2500 runs in this tournament, the elegant right-handed batsman has an average of over 32 and a strike rate of around 130, Rohit Sharma’s contribution will play a huge part in deciding Mumbai Indians’ fate this IPL 2014.
Rohit Sharma as a captain, though inexperienced, has already brought glory to the Mumbai Indians and this season with the addition of Michael Hussey to the squad, the flair and the experience level will only get magnified. With Pollard back fit again to play IPL 2014 and the addition of Corey Anderson brought into the side during the auctions, the fire power for Mumbai Indians has just been amplified up by a couple of notches.
The bowling attack as usual will be lead by Malinga but only for half the tournament with Sri Lanka touring Ireland and England in May. West Indian Santokie may be a replacement for the Sri Lankan but in all fairness he is no Malinga. Pragyan Ojha and Harbhajan Singh will once again lead the spin attack and could be vital for Rohit Sharma’s plans on Indian pitches specially.
Overall, Mumbai Indians have a great squad, with explosive forces, elegance and a steamy bowling attach for Rohit Sharma to rely on. All things point in a positive direction for the Mumbai Indians and on their day, they can beat any team in IPL 2014.