Mumbai: “Poor shot selection made us where we landed,” said Harbhajan Singh after Mumbai Indians lost the opening game of IPL 9 against Rising Pune Supergiants on Saturday in Mumbai.
The veteran off-spinner did not blame the wicket after Rohit Sharma & Co. scored a meagre 121 runs batting first. “We did not bat as well as we should have. It was a tough game for us. Mumbai wicket is probably the best to bat on,” said Harbhajan who was MI’s top run-getter against RPS.
“Sometimes we think there’s hardly any time in the middle. But we need to take more time, I feel, as a batting unit,” added Harbhajan. Discussing his team’s bowling performance, Harbhajan said: “Even as a bowling unit we need to come out with a better plan and execute it. We did not play well and that’s why we are sitting not happy.”
MI, in the past, had defended low totals. However, Lasith Malinga’s absence proved out to be a big blow to the team’s plans. “Having Malinga in the side here, we have defended totals of 160 or 170. I don’t know how long he is out, or if he’s out forever (for the entire season),” said Harbhajan.
Meanwhile, man of the Match Ajinkya Rahane (66*) credited Rising Pune Supergiants’ bowlers for the team’s win. “We thought this could be 170-180-run wicket before the game. Credit goes to our bowlers because in first six overs, we got their 4-5 wickets,” said Rahane.
Rahane and Faf du Plessis laid a solid foundation as Rising Pune Supergianats did not break any sweat to sail past Mumbai Indians’ total. While RPS’ bowlers did a commendable job, their premier spinner R Ashwin bowled only an over.
Rahane said: “This was a slightly seamer-friendly wicket. Ashwin is an experienced bowler, a quality bowler. But, I felt our fast bowlers were bowling really well. It was important to take the wickets and not give many runs. I felt Ishant, R P Singh, Marsh and Bhatia bowled really well.” The young right-hand batsman singled out Murugan Ashwin for praise. The leggie in his quota of four overs conceded just 16 runs and picked a wicket.
“I think debutant M Ashwin also bowled really well under pressure. I am not sure their batsmen had played him before," concluded Rahane.
