Jayawardene reveals: 'We anticipated CSK's spin-heavy bowling, hence SKY was sent in at No. 3'

Mumbai, April 21 (NationPress) Following a remarkable return to form, the Mumbai Indians (MI) triumphed over their long-standing rivals, the Chennai Super Kings (CSK), winning by nine wickets on Sunday. MI’s head coach, Mahela Jayawardene, shared that the choice to elevate Suryakumar Yadav to the No. 3 position in the batting lineup was a strategic response to CSK's spin-dominant bowling strategy.

After successfully limiting CSK to a total of 176 runs, MI effortlessly chased this target in just 15.4 overs, thanks to Rohit Sharma's impressive 76 runs off 45 deliveries and Suryakumar's explosive 68 runs from 30 balls, achieving victory with 26 balls to spare.

Discussing the pivotal partnership between Rohit and SKY, Jayawardene praised their synergy throughout the run chase, noting that he anticipated CSK's heavy reliance on spin. Consequently, Suryakumar was promoted to bat at No. 3 after Ryan Rickelton was dismissed.

"The start was fantastic. Rohit took charge during the powerplay. Rickelton provided a solid foundation before his exit. (We) understood they were going to bowl a lot of spin, hence the choice to send in SKY.

"Once SKY found his rhythm, Rohit took a step back, which was beneficial. We aimed for that partnership to flourish and reach a winning situation. This is where experience plays a crucial role. These two players are well-acquainted and managed the pressure effectively," Jayawardene stated, according to the Mumbai Indians website.

The head coach also provided insights on Rohit's outstanding innings, commending his mindset during challenging moments. The former captain had been under scrutiny due to his inconsistent performance in IPL 2025. Although he had hit three remarkable sixes in the previous match, he faced disappointment shortly thereafter. However, on this occasion, he regained his form, executing classic shots and reaching his half-century off just 33 balls, including four boundaries and six sixes in his 76-run innings.

"For a player with such vast experience, you essentially let them be while having constructive discussions. Polly and I engaged in conversations with him, and he remained composed about everything.

"He recognized what was required of him. He focused on his timing and navigated through the initial 3-4 overs. He had a few shots that may have been mistimed, but that’s part of the game. Once he overcomes that phase, we know he can alter the momentum and the game's direction.

"His intent has been evident from the very start, even during tough times. It was encouraging to see him play for the team. He has been maintaining this tempo for some time and has a strong understanding of his game," Jayawardene added.

Expressing his contentment with the third consecutive victory, the head coach remarked, "The match against Delhi Capitals was solid. However, even prior to that, we had a couple of close contests where we played well but couldn’t secure the win. My message to the team was to maintain their composure and emotional stability, regardless of the outcome. Having a seasoned group with experience is invaluable."

“As long as we continue to play good cricket, we’re satisfied. We’re not taking anything for granted. There are areas for improvement, and we must keep achieving our goals. Today’s win helps sustain our momentum,” he concluded.