Rohit Sharma once again proved his mettle in crucial matches with a commanding 81 off 50 balls, leading Mumbai Indians (MI) to victory in the IPL Eliminator against Punjab Kings. This half-century, his fourth of the season, came with a bit of fortune but was pivotal in securing MI’s place in Qualifier 2.
Reflecting on the performance, Rohit, who was named Player of the Match, said, “Today was a good day for us as a team. I understand the importance of playing this Eliminator and taking that step forward. It was a complete team performance, and we’re really, really proud of it.”
The match was not without its moments of luck for Rohit. Dropped twice within the first three overs, he made full use of the reprieves, helping MI reach a formidable total exceeding 200. His innings included four sixes, bringing his career tally in IPL to 300, making him only the second player after Chris Gayle to achieve this feat.
Rohit acknowledged the element of fortune, saying, “Somewhere down the line, you’ve got to be lucky, and today was that day for me. Those catches were dropped, but you still have to play well to get those runs. And that is what I was focusing on—keeping the momentum and tempo going.”
Jonny Bairstow played a crucial supporting role in MI’s 20-run victory, dazzling on his debut with 47 off just 22 balls. His partnership of 84 runs with Rohit gave MI the fiery start they needed. Prasidh Krishna, currently the Purple Cap holder, bore the brunt of Bairstow’s aggression, conceding 35 runs in just 11 balls.
Speaking highly of Bairstow, Rohit mentioned, “I’ve watched him over the years being on the other side. It was nice to be on the same side. We know the quality he has—a lot of experience playing this format. And it never looked like he was playing his first game for this franchise. He settled in well, took his chances, and it came off.”
With this win, Mumbai Indians now turn their attention to the upcoming Qualifier 2, carrying the confidence and momentum of this performance into the next challenge.
