All-rounder Dwayne Smith said Mumbai Indians needed to play confident cricket against Rajasthan Royals in the second Qualifier here on Friday.
“It comes as any other match. I don’t try to put one game bigger than other games because it adds pressure on the field. We need to just go out there, be confident and look to put in another performance,” Smith told reporters on Thursday.
The West Indian said there was no extra pressure on the team because it’s a must-win match. “All of us want to get to the final, so it will still be pressure for them (Royals) because they will have to beat us to get there. We have beaten them once and they have beaten us once. I am sure that we will go out there and fight and do our best,” said Smith.
Smith, who replaced Ricky Ponting in the eleven, has made three fifties in this edition of the IPL so far, but he expressed his disappointment of not converting them into something more substantial.
“Well, it is frustrating. I have had about five or six starts, three fifties and didn’t carry on. Got out to careless shots but I have it at the back of my mind because I take every game as it comes. I just look forward and don’t look back,” he said.
On the availability of the injured Sachin Tendulkar, he said, “He has been recovering, so hopefully he will be in tomorrow.”
Asked whether Mumbai Indians have missed the experience of Tendulkar and Ponting, especially while chasing, Smith said, “Cricket is a funny game. You can say that you miss anyone because they weren’t playing in the game. So, I see it as we had 11 (players) there. We stumbled a bit (in the first Qualifier against Chennai) after I got out. But I am sure the guys will correct that in this game.”
Mumbai’s bowling unit consisting Mitchell Johnson, Lasith Malinga and Harbhajan Singh has done well in the tournament, and Smith said they needed an encore from them.
“It will be very important for us tomorrow to come and bowl as we have done throughout the tournament and I am sure if we can put in one of those good performances from games before, we can roll them over.”
Star watch
Shane Watson: The all-rounder is a key figure for the Royals. He can be destructive up front with the bat, and is capable of occasional burst with the ball that can take the opposition by surprise. Watson’s contribution with bat and ball could be decisive against Mumbai.
Dinesh Kaarthick: The right-hander compensates for his lack of brute power with excellent timing and an array of strokes. He has been a steady performer for Mumbai this season, notching up important runs, and his effort could be vital for them against Royals.