Mumbai Indians will start their IPL 2019 campaign against Delhi Capitals on March 24.
With less than a week to go for the 12th edition of Indian Premier League, Mumbai India skipper Rohit Sharma has spoken on a lot of issues including his batting position.
Rohit, who has led MI to three IPL titles, doesn’t have a settled batting position for Mumbai but the right-hander made it clear that he will open the innings in all the matches this season.
"This year, I will open the batting in all the games. That's for sure. World Cup is one of the factors. But that [opening position] is where I have got a lot of success of late. The team understands that. We now have got some experience in the middle order. That allows me to go and bat at the top. I will try and open in every game possible," Sharma said while addressing the media.
At the IPL 2019 auction, veteran India batsman Yuvraj Singh went unsold in the Round 1 and was only saved by a late bid from Mumbai Indians. The 37-year-old, who entered into the auction with a base price of Rs 1 crore, was fetched by MI for the same amount.
“Yuvraj, as we all know brings a lot of experience to the table. He is a match-winner,” Rohit added.
Clarifying Yuvraj’s role in the team, Mumbai Indians’ director of cricket operations Zaheer Khan told reporters: “Many players go unsold. I’ve been unsold myself in the first round. Auction dynamics make you do that. Yuvraj Singh has been a boost to the side. We needed an experienced batsman who controls the game in the middle. Who is better than Yuvraj Singh to do this.”
MI failed to qualify for the playoffs last year and finished the league stage at fifth position with 6 wins from 14 matches. The three-time champions will start their IPL 2019 campaign against Delhi Capitals on March 24 and Rohit said that the team is keen to get the job done this season.
“I’ve spoken to the boys myself in the Indian team, who are now playing with us - they all are eager to play and maintain the same intensity,” Sharma remarked.