CSK vs MI, IPL 2022: Rohit Sharma Happy To See Wankhede Pitch Offering Swing and Bounce for a T20 Game

Mumbai, May 13 : Mumbai Indians' skipper Rohit Sharma said it was good to see a wicket offering swing and bounce to the bowlers once in a while -- like in the match against Chennai Super Kings -- as the IPL 2022 has been mostly played on batting-friendly pitches. Sharma's bowlers capitalised on the juice in the pitch and bowled some superb line and hard length to bundle out Chennai Super Kings for 97 at the Wankhede Stadium here on Thursday. Mumbai Indians Knock CSK Out of IPL 2022 Playoff Contention With Five-Wicket Win in Low-Scoring Thriller.

"We've played a lot of cricket in Mumbai, especially at Wankhede, so I do understand. On so many occasions we've had pitches like this. It's always nice to get bowlers into the games at times. It's been batting-friendly pitches all over, so it was good to see some bounce and swing upfront from both sides," Rohit said during the post-game presentation after his team emerged the winner by 5 wickets. Chasing a target of 98, Mumbai Indians looked in trouble at 33/4 in the sixth over before sensible batting by Tilak Varma (34 not out, 32 balls, 4x4), Hrithik Shokeen (18, 23 balls, 2 x 4), and Tim David (16 not out, 7 balls, 6 x 2), helped them reach 103/5 and register their third victory in 12 matches.

Rohit said there were some tense moments for his team before they controlled their nerves and won the match. "Looking at how the pitch was playing and to lose wickets upfront, there were a bit of tense moments, but it was just about keeping calm and getting the job done. I thought after losing those wickets at the start, we were calm and got the job done in the end," said Rohit, who scored 18 off 14 deliveries on Thursday. The MI captain praised young middle-order batter Tilak Varma, the find of IPL 2022 as far as Mumbai Indians are concerned, and said he has been brilliant so far. IPL 2022: MS Dhoni Reacts After CSK's Poor Display Against MI, Says 'It’s a Kind of Game Where You Learn a Lot'.

"He's been brilliant. Playing for the first year, having such a calm head is never easy. In my opinion, I feel he is going to be an all-format player for India pretty soon. He's got the technique. He's got the temperament, which is the most important thing when you play at the highest level. So I think a lot of things are looking bright for him and there is hunger when you speak to him. There is hunger to do well, to finish games and to have some success as well. I think he is on the right path. He just needs to keep growing and see how he can improve and get better as a player and as a person as well," he added.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on May 13, 2022 11:31 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).