IPL 2021: Rohit Sharma was astute with field positions to keep pressure

Shishir Hattangadi

Champion teams have the ability to sniff an opportunity in a challenge. Mumbai Indians sniffed it with the astute leadership of Rohit Sharma in the wake of adversity.
A total of 152 in a 20-over game can hardly be termed as comfortable. With contributions from Rohit (43) and the stately Suryakumar Yadav (56) who plays better each time he steps out in MI colours, Mumbai could manage at best a below par score. Andre Russell worked out the angles to bowl to the batsmen from around the wicket. It's an angle that batsmen will take some working out too. As of now, they haven't as he picked up 5 for 15 in only 12 balls (2 overs).

Big opening stand

Mumbai realised that picking early wickets would keep them in the game but the admirable opening partnership between the in-form Nitish Rana and Shubman Gill
ensured no calamities in the 72-run opening stand.

With the fall of the first few wickets, Rohit took control. Spinners Krunal Pandya and Rahul Chahar throttled the runs and with Chahar picking up 4 for 27 off his four overs, Krunal with 1 for 13 off his four helped keep the pressure on KKR. Field positions like silly point and a slip are rare to see in this format but Rohit got his men close to keep the pressure on the batsmen. He was brave but astute.

Boult, Bumrah fire

Trent Boult and Jasprit Bumrah are bowlers capable of miserly spells at the death and they did just that. KKR managing only 20 in the last five overs was a story that ended disappointingly if not tragically. T20 games are not only about the big hits and close finishes. Another dimension to this format of bottling finishes. Another dimension oppositions up in low-scoring games gives the viewer a different perspective of what cricket can throw up.