JOIN USMumbai Indians captain Rohit Sharma said he was never worried about the form of off-spinner Harbhajan Singh and called him a “great match winner” for the team.
Harbhajan took three wickets in an over during his haul of 4-32 to scupper Royals’ chase in the Champions League Twenty20 final on Sunday.
“Harbhajan is a great match winner. I was not worried about his form. He is a big match player,” Rohit told reporters.
”Glenn Maxwell also played a great knock. We knew his strength, and that is why drafted him in the side.”
Rohit, however, insisted the match was not decided in one or two overs.
“This match was not decided in one or two overs. On a wicket like this and in final where we scored 200 plus runs, we were always in the match. We scored some 140 plus runs in the last 10 overs. The track was flat, there was dew factor. I feel all 40 overs mattered here. ”
With he himself being in rich form, Rohit said he believed in leading from front.
“When you play well, then you inspire your team mates. I have got good support from my teammates, we have a good understanding. Mahendra Singh Dhoni has done so many times by leading from the front. He has inspired people by his own performance,” he said.
The Mumbai player said he was ready to open innings in all formats of the game. “Modern cricket is such that you cannot lock your place. I am ready for last six years to play in all three formats. Hopefully, I will get an opportunity soon.”
Rajasthan Royals’ head coach Paddy Upton defended the decision to bring Rahul Dravid at No. 8.
“While chasing such a big total, it was right for Rahul to come at No 8. Going up the order was not his strength. The plan and strategy was fixed. If you see in the last matches, our batsmen in middle and down the order have come well. We were in chase when Ajinkya (Rahane) and Samson were there in the chase,” he said.