Rohit Sharma's 76* and Suryakumar Yadav's 68* helped MI defeat CSK by 9 wickets.
Mumbai Indians (MI) opener Rohit Sharma roared back into form as he stroked an unbeaten 76* to help MI defeat Chennai Super Kings (CSK) by 9 wickets in their IPL 2025 match at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on April 20.
Chasing 177 to win, Rohit Sharma hammered 4 fours and 6 sixes in his knock, and added 114* runs for the second wicket with Suryakumar Yadav. Yadav stroked 68* in 30 balls with 6 fours and 5 sixes to his name, as MI won by 9 wickets.
Rohit Sharma was given the Player of the Match for his knock and claimed he never doubted his ability, even during a prolonged difficult spell, which included India being comprehensively hammered at home by New Zealand in a three-match Test series.
"After being here for a long time, it's easy to start doubting yourself and start doing different things. It was important for me to practice well, hit the ball well. When you are clear in your mind, things like this can happen.
It has been a while, but if you doubt yourself, you put pressure on yourself. It is important to balance how you want to play. Today I wanted to hit the ball but was also important to hold the shape and extend the arms. And then, if the ball is in the arc, I wanted to try what I always do. It has not been happening consistently but I am not going to doubt myself," Rohit Sharma said in the post-match presentation.
With one of the stands at the Wankhede Stadium to be built in his honour, Rohit, who played most of his formative cricket here, said it was a "huge honour" for him.
"Looks pretty far! Huge honour. I used to come here as a kid and watch the game. We were not allowed to come here at some stage. Grew up playing at this ground, now to have that stand, huge honour. Don't know how I will react when it actually comes up. Satisfying part was to finish the game,” he added.
MI skipper Hardik Pandya fielded questions in the post-match press conference and stated that the team was peaking at the right time.
"We are peaking at the right time, winning three on the trot. Winning back-to-back is important, we stand in a good position. The way Rohit and Suryakumar bat it is a relief from outside. You don't have to worry about Rohit's form. He's gonna come good like this. We knew that when he comes good, the opposition will be out. SKY (Surya) complemented him.
Percentage cricket is high, we are not trying magical stuff and sticking to simple cricket. Knew they were behind the game and wanted to keep it tight. The fast bowlers went for runs and we knew 175 was below par," Hardik said in the post-match presser.
MI will next travel to Hyderabad and take on SRH on April 23.
(PTI inputs)