Don't want to put too much pressure on Bumrah: Rohit Sharma

"Bumrah has evolved as a cricketer in the last couple of months," Rohit said. © BCCI

A nine-wicket loss in the opening game of the tournament can be demotivating for any team. Rohit Sharma, the Mumbai Indians captain, shrewdly, but rightly, pointed out that in a professional environment such as the Indian Premier League, players don't need to be motivated after a loss.
"You can't get demotivated, you have to come back stronger and go forward," Rohit said on Tuesday (April 12) ahead of their clash against Kolkata Knight Riders. "What has happened has happened. We don't want to carry any baggage. We have gone back to the drawing board and decided what we can't afford as a team. We have rectified our mistakes and hopefully we have a better game tomorrow."
In their tournament opener against Rising Pune Supergiants, Rohit promoted himself up the order to the opener's slot - something he did only twice in the last season. When asked the thought process behind the move, he said it was important to get the balance and the position of each player right based on where they play for their country or team.
"I've been opening for a while - three years now - so I'd like to continue that for the remainder of the series. But everything depends on the balance, if I feel me batting top of order is not right for the team, I'll come down as a middle order batsman. If it helps the team, I'm ready to do whatever it takes to help the team win," he said.
Mumbai's balance has been hampered with Lasith Malinga being ruled out for a few weeks with a knee injury. Rohit said they will be monitoring his progress and haven't yet named a replacement, which they will have to do before the fifth game if they are to replace him. News coming in from Sri Lanka is hinting towards Malinga not being granted a No Objection Certificate from their cricket board, who aren't supportive of Malinga picking and choosing tournaments to participate in.
Malinga's absence gives Jasprit Bumrah, who has come a long way in the last few months, the opportunity to take on the onus and showcase his prowess of shouldering responsibility.
"Bumrah has evolved as a cricketer in the last couple of months," Rohit said. "He bowled well in Australia and then carried it into the Asia Cup and World T20. He is more matured now, knows what's expected and is stronger and much fitter than what he was last year. A lot of expectation from him but as a group, we don't want to put too much pressure on him. He's also trying to become a better cricketer and he's doing everything he can."
Mumbai invariably have had a slow start to their tournament, especially the last season where they lost their first five games but bounced back in stellar fashion to win the silverware. Rohit conceded that the first few weeks of a season are the toughest, but while he acknowledged the challenge, he remained positive.
"We know what we have to do as a team to win games and the trophy. The first few games are challenging. As a group you're trying to get together and play as a team. It's tough for all teams, not just for Mumbai. The first few weeks are a big challenge. It has to do with the combination as well. You buy and release players in the auction, it's difficult for the management to get the combinations right and it's a challenge for us to field the best team.
"We try and play according to the conditions and get the right balance. Sometimes it will work and sometimes it may not work, it's important to identify that early in the tournament and get a settled squad. It's important to give the guys enough matches to prove themselves," he said.