Kolkata, May 23 (IANS) Mumbai Indians skipper Rohit Sharma on Saturday urged his players to make “one last effort” on their “biggest day” to emerge triumphant at the Eden Gardens on Sunday when they lock horns with Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) final.
“At the end of it all, you are waiting for the biggest day to get into the final and win the cup. No matter what you have done in the past if you don’t win all your hard work goes in vain,” Rohit said at the pre-match media conference.
“We did not start off well but I always believe there is character in the team, the guys had a lot of potential. It was a matter of time before we could put everything together.
“As captain for me it is important to say it is one last effort we need. We are lucky to be in the final and we are really determined to change the table and try and do our best tomorrow.”
Rohit, who was instrumental in the Mumbai Indians’ only IPL title win at the same venue two years back, said he does not see any vast difference in the pitch from what he has played before. The 28-year-old believes it will remain a good wicket till the last ball is delivered.
“(There is) no vast difference. Only mentally you got to be prepared, all the Indian players have played here a lot. So it won’t make too much of a difference for us.
“The foreign players in these parts of the world playing here in Kolkata might find it difficult, but then again even they have played at the ground before. We started our campaign here, and I don’t think it can make a lot of difference,” he said.
Rohit also emphasised on the break that they had after the first Qualifier, saying the “break has helped prepare better and get the freshness back.
Speaking on the flip of the coin going their way Rohit said, “We have had 50,50 luck with the toss, however, it should not affect your mindset. You cannot control it. The only thing you can do is play your best cricket as the wicket does not change here much.”
Asked if Harbhajan Singh’s inclusion in the Test squad would give the seasoned spinner a psychological boost at his favourite Eden, Rohit said: “I am sure at the back of his mind all his good performances will be there. He has done well at Eden. So his confidence will be there. But it is important he would want to stay in the present and put up a good show here again.”
Rohit said given the weather conditions, “humidity will be a factor” but that would not stop his team from focusing on how to “win the cup”.
