'All games from here are important for us'
Mumbai Indians skipper Rohit Sharma was relieved after his side was back to winning ways, following their 25-run win over Kings XI Punjab in Mohali on Monday.
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"It (this win) means a lot, considering our last few games haven't gone the way we wanted. We played like we are known to, this is the performance we have been expecting."
Parthiv Patel (81) and Ambati Rayudu (65) shared 137 runs for the second wicket to help MI set a target of 190 for KXIP.
"The stand between Parthiv and Rayudu set the game for us. Really happy with the way we batted. We always knew someone or the other would have to put up his hand and set the game for us. All games from here are important for us."
Man of the Match Patel said, "(This knock) Very important for me, on a personal point of view as well. Wicket was dry, we decided that one of us would play till the 15-16th over. It's important to carry on the momentum."
Speaking of the partnership with Rayudu, Parthiv said: "I think having an in-form batsman with you makes your job easier. I have had five innings and could not get going in first five games. To have an in-form batsman with you, you can take a bit of pressure off yourself. Rayudu did exactly that," he said at the post-match press conference.
"Every time we felt we need to get going, he used to smash a six or a boundary. That actually helped me a lot. And we were talking about getting to 180 because we felt the wicket was on a drier side and 180 would be a good score,"
Asked how does it help to have bowlers like Bumrah in the side, Parthiv said, "It always helps to have good bowlers in your side.
"We have seen in lot of teams that no matter how many runs you score (if bowlers dont come good), all those runs count for nothing. Mitch (Mitchell McClenaghan) is a purple cap holder and Jassi (Bumrah) is in fantastic form.
"You might have seen him just how he has bowled from Asia Cup or from Australia tour. He is with me since Ranji Trophy days. He has worked hard throughout the off season and I am very happy that whatever work he has put in he is getting the result," said Parthiv.
Asked why he went particularly after KXIP's Mitchell Johnson, Parthiv, said, "I like the pace on the ball, he bowls quick, and it is easier to use his pace. Last time when I was here, the same question had come because then I had smashed Johnson for 28 runs in one over. But yes, when you are bowling so fast and not accurate you can go for runs."
Parthiv also said that getting one lease of life early on and having a bit of luck always helps.
"In a T20 game it is very important to have a bit of luck on your side as well. You take a lot of chances in first six overs and even after that. It is good to have luck on your side, sometimes," he said.
Asked about the initial dot balls, he said, "I thought the wicket was slow and a bit dry to start with. In last few games, we have lost too many wickets early on, we had to make sure that we did not lose too many wickets. If we had wickets at the end, we could score runs, so that was the plan. There was not plan of playing so many dot balls. I was trying, but I could not get going then."
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