'600, 700, 800 Run Se Koi Matlab Nahin Hai Agar...': Rohit Sharma Hits Back At Criticism Over Not Scoring Big In IPL; Video
Mumbai Indians star opener Rohit Sharma hit back at criticism over not having a bumper seasons in IPL with the bat despite coming in with a massive reputation. The right-handed batter candidly said he doesn't care about a big season with the bat if it doesn't help the team win the trophy in the end.
Despite being the second-highest run-getter in IPL history, the 38-year-old has consistently struggled for big IPL seasons. The previous season, where Rohit amassed 417 runs, was the first since 2019 that he crossed the 400-run mark. The ongoing edition saw him struggle for the first six matches before hitting two half-centuries.
Speaking to journalist Vimal Kumar on his birthday, Rohit declared that he never set a target in terms of runs ahead of any IPL edition and focuses on making team win matches. The veteran also reasoned how no player from their side has won the Orange Cap whenever Mumbai Indians lifted the trophy.
"600, 700, 800 run se koi matlab nahin hai agar aap trophy nahin jeet rahe ho. Final tak nahin jaa rahe ho aur nahin jeet rahe ho, toh main 500 run ka kya karunga. Thik hai apne liye, mere liye accha hai, lekin team ke liye accha nahin hai na. Mera lakshay kabhi aisa nahin raha hai ki mujhe itna run banana hai season mein. Mujhe matches jitaana hai, uski main koshish karta hoon, poori. Aisa main nahin bol raha hoon mere 20-30 run banne se team jeet rahi hai. Main focus is cheez pe rakhta hoon main kaise contributions karta hoon aur jisse team ko fayada ho. Mumbai Indians jabhi trophy jeeti hai, hamare team mein se koi Orange Cap nahin jeeta hai, toh uske peeche kuch baat hai."
(If I'm hitting 600, 700, 800 runs and the team is not winning, there is no use of it. What will I do with 500 runs if the team doesn't go into the final and win it. It's good for me but not for the team. I didn't ever set a goal that I want to score these many runs in a season. I want to win matches for the team and I try my best. I'm not saying my 20-30 runs are going in a winning cause. I focus on how I can best contribute and it benefits the team. Whenever Mumbai Indians has won the tournament, no one from our side won the Orange Cap. There is some reason behind it.)
Mumbai Indians aim to keep their winning streak going against the Rajasthan Royals
Meanwhile, the Mumbai Indians will face the Rajasthan Royals on May 1st, 2025 in Jaipur as the five-time champions aim to keep their winning streak going. Although Mumbai began their campaign with two successive defeats, they seemed to have found the winning formula at the right time.
Meanwhile, the Royals have kept themselves narrowly alive as they defeated the Gujarat Titans by eight wickets in their previous game.
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