MI should look at the replacement for the struggling Kieron Pollard, believes Rajput.
Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Mumbai Indians’ (MI) skipper Rohit Sharma’s struggle with the willow in the ongoing IPL 2018 has caught everyone’s attention, and many Cricket legends have expressed their views on the same, especially on his batting position in the tournament.
The 30-year-old right-hander usually opens the innings for both India and MI, but he has been coming to bat at number four in the ongoing T20 tournament so far. And many believe it was the factor for his poor outing this season and advised him to bat at top order to overcome struggle against the ball.
Recently, former Indian cricketer, Lalchand Rajput has opined that Rohit should open the innings in the IPL 2018 to help the defending champions, who have won an only game out of their six matches so far.
As per reports in Press Trust of India, Rajut said, “Rohit is a prolific opening batsman, who has done exceptionally well for India as an opener. So opening and playing free is important for him. If you start well, then you can pile up a big score. You have to open with Rohit, as simple as that.”
The former Mumbai opener explained, “When you bat at number four after losing two wickets that is a different ball-game rather than opening. It (Rohit opening the innings) will help Mumbai, because they will get a good start, as the start is important. Rohit is such a player, once he gets the 30s, he makes it big.”
Former Indian manager also believes that the MI should look at the replacement for the struggling West Indian all-rounder Kieron Pollard to improve their scores on the board when they will play Chennai Super Kings (CSK) on Saturday (28 April) in Pune.
Rajput signed off by saying, “If a certain player is not doing well, you have to look at it. He (Pollard) is not in good form and has not (performed) well. It is time, that they (MI) look for other options and (JP) Duminy is another option.”