Ravi Shastri is buoyant about Rohit Sharma and Mumbai Indians’ (MI) chances in their final IPL 2022 match against Delhi Capitals (DC) at the Wankhede Stadium on Saturday, 21 May. He feels the amount of support the five-time champions have, including from Virat Kohli and Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) fans, will help them end the season on a high.
Mumbai, the 5 time IPL champion-most by any franchise was the first team to be eliminated from the top-four race but this match is a far cry from a dead rubber in the context of the season.
If Rohit Sharma-led Mumbai wins, they’ll drown the Delhi Capitals with them and allow Virat Kohli’s Royal Challengers to qualify at No. 4. Moreover, a massive win (to the tune of 91 runs or by 65 balls to spare) could also help them avoid the embarrassment of a wooden-spoon 10th spot finish as well.
Ravi Shastri Reckons RCB Fans Will Be Supporting Rohit Sharma’s Mumbai Indians
In an interaction, Ravi Shastri was asked whether Rohit Sharma, who hasn’t managed a half-century this season yet, will be able to continue his unique record of getting that milestone at least once in every season.
Ravi Shastri replied: “What more do Mumbai Indians need for Rohit Sharma? Rohit Sharma fans, Virat Kohli fans, RCB fans are all with him. Virat Kohli scored 50 in the last game, if Rohit scores 50-60 then at least, [it will help them end the season nicely]. Mumbai Indians are not habitual of finishing last. They have lost 10 matches. If they lose tomorrow, it will make it 11 losses from 14 games which they don’t want so they’ll try to win. If Rohit gets going we all know what he can do as an opener in white-ball cricket.”
Rohit Sharma boasts a good record against Delhi Capitals. In 31 matches, the 35-year-old has scored 910 runs against them at an average of 32.50. The Mumbai Indians team has played 13 games so far, winning 3 and losing 10. With 6 points and a net run rate of -0.577, Mumbai is already eliminated from the playoffs.
Rohit Sharma is the skipper of Mumbai Indians and will lead the team in the final match of the tournament as well if he is not rested. The right-handed batsman has struggled to bat well throughout the IPL 2022 tournament. However, he scored a brilliant knock of 48 runs in the last match. In 13 games so far, Rohit Sharma has scored 266 runs at an average of 20.46. He will open the innings for the team.
Ravi Shastri: It’s Good For The Future If Arjun Tendulkar Is Given A Chance And He Does Well In His Debut IPL Match
When asked if young left-arm pacer Arjun Tendulkar has a chance to play in the match, Ravi Shastri replied with a succinct “why not?”. The former India coach added that the youngster has “decent” skills and despite shouldering the pressure of being the legendary Sachin Tendulkar’s son, might be one for the future.
Ravi Shastri said: “Why not? I have seen him in the nets. The Tendulkar name is a big name and he has very big boots to fill. But he bowls ‘theek thaak’ (decent), swings the new ball into the batters and is tall so gets the bounce too. So why not? If they have lost 11 matches then why does it matter? If they give Arjun a chance and if he does well in his first match it’s good for the future.”
The 22-year-old youngster, son of the legendary former Indian cricketer Sachin Tendulkar has featured in two T20s for the Mumbai state team, picking up two wickets at an economy rate of 9.57. Sachin Tendulkar’s son Arjun Tendulkar is making all the right noises to debut in the 2022 Indian Premier League’s last match against Delhi. The franchise Mumbai Indians had snapped up him for Rs 30 lakh in the IPL 2022 mega auctions.
The young left-arm seamer Arjun Tendulkar has been part of the Mumbai Indians squad as a net bowler for the last few years. He was also picked up by the Mumbai-based franchise in the auction for the 2021 IPL. He didn’t get a game in the previous edition but the five-time champions again added him to the 2022 squad.
