Indore, May 5 - After a much needed victory over Kings XI Punjab (KXIP), Mumbai Indians skipper Rohit Sharma believes his side is still alive in the tournament and could make it to the play-offs.
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\r\nMumbai, placed fifth in the Indian Premier League (IPL) points table, registered a six-wicket win over Punjab at the Holkar Cricket Stadium here on Friday.
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\r\nMumbai delivered an all-round show, which the skipper termed as a 'collective effort'.
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\r\nBowling first, a disciplined effort helped Mumbai restrict Punjab to 174\/6 in 20 overs. Later Suryakumar Yadav's fourth IPL fifty and a quick-fire unbeaten 31 and 24 runs by Krunal Pandya and Rohit respectively guided Mumbai home with an over to go.
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\r\nSpeaking at the post-match presentation, Rohit said: "I think we are still alive. Good performance tonight, and a much-needed win for us. We needed everyone to come and put a collective effort."
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\r\n"We started well with the ball. To restrict their batting unit on this pitch at this ground was a great effort. And to chase it down the way we did was really nice," the Mumbai skipper added.
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\r\nExplaining his decision to bat lower-down the order, the 31-year-old said: "The way we went about our chase in the first 10 overs, I felt we needed momentum. So, Hardik, the way he plays, was suited to do that."
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\r\n"Hence, I held myself back for the end and having played here before, I know what kind of shots work. Always feels good when you finish off the chase," Rohit added.
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\r\nThe Mumbai skipper also seemed concerned about leaking of runs in the death overs.
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\r\n"That is something which is a pattern for us. We've been giving too many at the death but that's how the game goes. I had to bring Jasprit in the 19th over with two set batsmen and if he struck, it would have made things easier for Hardik.
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\r\nPlus the longer boundaries would have helped Hardik in the 20th over. That's how it goes sometimes. I have to use Jasprit really well and the others around him are doing the job for us. It's about being really smart with the ball," Rohit opined.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
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