IPL 2021: 'Beating them won’t be a cakewalk' - Rohit Sharma on MI vs KKR clash

Defending champions Mumbai Indians resumed their IPL 2021 campaign with a 20 run loss to MS Dhoni-led Chennai Super Kings (CSK). With four wins and as many losses, MI are in a tricky position and cannot afford to lose too many now. MI were without the services of skipper Rohit Sharma and all-rounder Hardik Pandya in the last game and both of them are likely to walk back into the team in today’s game in Abu Dhabi.

Ahead of the match, Mumbai Indians posted a video of Rohit Sharma where the skipper said that beating KKR won’t be a cakewalk for MI.

"It's important that we turn up and do the job!" 💪



Captain Ro previews #MIvKKR 🗣️🔥#OneFamily #MumbaiIndians #IPL2021 #KhelTakaTak @ImRo45 @MXTakaTak MI TV pic.twitter.com/HxomGIvAHC

— Mumbai Indians (@mipaltan) September 23, 2021

"I honestly don't believe in past records, T20 is a game on that particular day. What happens it's a game of that you have to be best on that day. They are a good opposition (Kolkata Knight Riders) and they play cricket very well as a team, and they will obviously be coming off from some confidence after their last win so it's not going to be cakewalk for us," said Rohit

Speaking on their bitter loss against CSK, Rohit said, "I know that we had a very handy record against them, but it's important that we turn up really well on that particular day, and do the job. When you are chasing a score like 157 you need to build those small partnerships, and make sure you keep yourself in the game as long as possible."

MI pacer Adam Milne had a brilliant outing in the last game and bowled a remarkable spell of 2-21. He along with Trent Boult blew away the CSK top order and restricted them to 24-4 in the powerplay and had not Ruturaj Gaikwad played a blinder, MI could have bundled out CSK for a fairly low score. Reflecting on Milne’s performance, Rohit said, "Adam Milne, especially is coming from a very good tournament in UK. He is a good bowler, bowls really fast and it's all about, you know, getting that confidence and he got that confidence in the first game.”

“So I just hope that he builds on it. We just have to come back and come back really strong and tick those small boxes, and I think if you look at the potential in this squad. We have got all bases covered," he added.

It could be a tight finish for the final two spots in the points table thus every game stands of utmost importance for the bottom six teams.