Mumbai Indians [MI] pacer Trent Boult has admitted that the five-time IPL champions missed their captain Rohit Sharma both, as leader and batsman. And the Kiwi bowler is hoping Rohit can feature in today’s fixture against the Kolkata Knight Riders [KKR].
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‘A big hole’
“He [Rohit] was sorely missed [in the match against Chennai Super Kings on Sunday]. He is right up there in terms of experience and runs achieved in this format. So, it was a big hole, but it was a good decision to make sure he is 100 per cent with the amount of cricket coming up,” Boult said during a virtual media interaction on Wednesday in reply to mid-day’s question on whether MI missed their captain during the 20-run defeat to CSK.
Rohit is MI’s highest run-getter this season, with 250 runs from seven games, while Boult has claimed 10 wickets in eight matches. “If he comes in to the playing XI tomorrow [Thursday], it will be great, but we want to make sure he is 100 per cent fit,” added Boult.
Fingers crossed
Rohit had been rested against CSK, while all-rounder Hardik Pandya also missed the game due to a niggle. “They [Rohit and Hardik] are obviously two vital players for Mumbai. And we are desperate to get them back. So, fingers crossed that they will be pretty good to go over the next couple of games,” said Boult, 32.
The defending champions are placed fourth in the points table after winning four out of eight games, while KKR have three wins from eight matches. When asked if KKR’s mystery spinner Varun Chakravarthy will be a concern for MI, Boult said: “He [Chakravarthy] is a quality bowler; I hope I do not face him, being a No. 11. I think more importantly it is about the batting unit of Mumbai putting up a good performance and stacking up scores.”
