In a thrilling encounter at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai, Mumbai Indians (MI) emerged triumphant in the IPL 2023 Eliminator against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG). MI captain Rohit Sharma was all praise for the young Uttarakhand pacer Akash Madhwal, who played a crucial role in their resounding 81-run victory.
Batting first, MI posted a competitive total of 182/8. However, it was Akash Madhwal’s exceptional bowling performance during the chase that stole the show. The pacer wreaked havoc on the LSG batting line-up, securing an incredible 5-wicket haul for just 5 runs. Unsurprisingly, he was deservedly named the Player of the Match.
Speaking at the post-match presentation, Rohit Sharma expressed his satisfaction with MI’s consistent ability to deliver remarkable victories throughout the years. “That is what we have done over the years. People don’t expect us to do what we have done, but we managed to,” Rohit Sharma stated, highlighting the team’s penchant for defying expectations.
Rohit Sharma then specifically praised Akash Madhwal, emphasizing his belief in the young pacer’s skills and character. “Akash was part of the team last year as a support bowler, and once Jofra was gone, I knew he had the skills and the character to do the job for us. Over the years, we have seen many guys coming in from Mumbai Indians and playing for India,” Rohit Sharma acknowledged, highlighting the team’s track record of nurturing talented players.
The MI captain also highlighted the importance of creating a nurturing team environment, where young players feel valued and embraced. “It is important to make them feel special and make them feel part of the team. My job is to just make them comfortable in the middle. They are very clear in their roles about what they need to do for the team, and that’s what you want. As a team, we enjoyed it (fielding). Good to see everyone contributing on the field,” Rohit Sharma explained.