Mumbai Indians’ skipper Rohit Sharma missed his side’s opening match of the IPL second leg against the Chennai Super Kings (CSK). And now, the Head Coach of the Mumbai franchise, Mahela Jayawardene has stated that the ‘Hitman’ felt that he needed some extra days to be match fit.

Adding that Sharma has been running and doing his batting drills, Jayawardene stated that the Mumbai skipper should be fit to take the field for the Mumbai Indians’ next match against the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) side that will take place on 23rd September 2021.

“Rohit was batting and doing his running, after coming back from the UK, we probably felt he needed extra few days so he should be fine to play the next game. Hardik was training, had a niggle, so precaution and giving him extra days, but nothing serious,” said Mahela Jayawardene after the match.

England cricket legend Kevin Pietersen has opened up on how the Mumbai Indians side missed a trick in the opening match of the IPL second leg against the Chennai Super Kings (CSK).

Pietersen opined that the Mumbai side started well with the ball, in spite of Rohit Sharma not playing the match. Adding that CSK had lost 4 quick wickets, the 41-year-old said that the Mumbai side should have put their foot down and continued with the same momentum.

“Mumbai started so well. They really got themselves into the game. They knew they needed to get themselves going. They lost their captain so he was replaced. And they started so well. CSK were 4 down very early. Ambati Rayudu retired out. When you get that many wickets early, you have to keep your foot down. You talk about momentum; you need to keep it going. I think Mumbai Indians missed a trick. I don’t know what Kieron Pollard was thinking by not bowling Jasprit Bumrah for 2 or 3 overs. They could have been 40/7, 50/7. CSK could have been 60, 70 or 80 all out. I’m not being silly when I say that. You have got to bowl your fast, strike bowlers,” said P.