Mumbai Indians (MI) are having a torrid time in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) season. They have lost all six games in the competition so far and their chances of qualifying for the playoffs look bleak now.
MI’s latest defeat came against the Lucknow Super Giants at Brabourne Stadium on Saturday (April 16). The five-time champions were at the receiving end of an 18-run loss in a high-scoring affair.
No wonder, Mumbai Indians’ director of cricket Zaheer Khan feels that the pressure on Rohit Sharma and company is “at its highest."
According to Zaheer, the players will have to show the hunger to fight in order to bounce back in the tournament.
“This is a team sport so we have to stick together, have to find ways of coming together and then become a force. Each season has its own challenges and the pressure is at its highest so we have to show that kind of character, that fight and determination. You have to take the disappointing moments in your stride, that’s what cricket teaches you," said Zaheer in his mid-season review, as quoted by IANS.
Zaheer Khan pointed out that Dewald Brevis and Tilak Varma’s performances have been the biggest positives for the team so far.
“The partnership of the young guns — going out there and creating scenarios where they put bowlers under pressure — is something we look for, the spark that we talk about."
“The guys are keen on turning things around and we just have to back them. Not everyday will be your day - but it’s about how you take it, what you learn from it and how you adapt. I have seen the disappointed faces but also the determined ones. It’s about how we come out of this, the kind of character we show is what I’m looking forward to," he said.
The former India pacer also highlighted the importance of maintaining a much-needed balance and bearing in mind the long-term vision.
“Irrespective of wins and losses and how the season is going, we also have a long-term vision. So we keep the right kind of balance throughout the year," added Zaheer.
(With IANS inputs)
