Rohit blames bad batting for Mumbai's inconsistency

Rohit Sharma says playing with Sachin Tendulkar in the Indian Premier League has benefited him a lot, and he's looking forward to winning the title for Mumbai Indians.

"Whenever I batted with him, he came up to me and always said what I needed to do. It's a good helping hand from him. I've really benefited a lot. I've to do well in whatever games are left and will try to win the Cup for Mumbai Indians," said Rohit, ahead of Saturday's match between Mumbai Indians against Kolkata Knight Riders, in Kolkata.

Asked if he is eyeing a berth in the Indian team for the Twenty20 World Cup, in Sri Lanka in September, he replied, "If I do well other things will fall in place. It's still a long way to go. I'm not thinking about it at the moment."

The right-hander conceded that batting is the reason behind Mumbai Indians' inconsistent showing this season, but added the side is focusing on doing well in the remaining four league matches.

"Obviously, we did not play good as a team. We didn't adapt to the conditions. Wicket was sticky and damp. But being a professional, you have to perform in any given condition. Our batting had failed, simply. Our bowlers have been doing a tremendous job. It's just that we did not do well as a batting unit.

"At the moment we are happy the way we are. We could have done much better, as we lost a few close games. At the same time, we won a few close ones. It's part and parcel of the game. We still have four more quite crucial games to decide where we end up in the tournament," he said.

Rohit said Mumbai Indians are not looking at the points table but focusing on winning the remaining matches.

"It's very important to win every game. We know where we stand. It's important to go there and perform rather than thinking about the table," he said.

"If we play good cricket we will finish up. The focus is to play some good cricket. It's not going to be easy here... We know what kind of wicket we get here so we have to get our acts together," said Rohit.

Asked about the game against KKR, Rohit said, "They have been playing some good cricket, especially very good at home; no doubt. We have to be at our best to beat them. We are confident; we have guys who can turn around the match. We are not thinking what they are doing."

On Kolkata Knight Riders' mystery spinner Sunil Narine, he said, "I have played a couple of times when the Windies were here. We have got a couple of West Indians in our team. With their help and guidance, we hope we can tackle him."

Terming Harbhajan Singh an aggressive skipper compared to Sachin Tendulkar's calm approach, Rohit said the ace off-spinner ias doing a fine job for Mumbai Indians so far.

"Sachin was very cool and calm we have learnt a lot under him. Bhajji is very aggressive. Everyone in the team is supporting him. We are always there to help him. He has kept the atmosphere of the dressing room very cool and calm. We just want to support him," said Rohit.

Powerful hitting may be the key element to excel in the Twenty20 scheme of things but Rohit said batsmen like Ajinkya Rahane, Gautam Gambhir and Mahela Jawardene are doing a fine job for their respective teams playing orthodox cricket.

"If you have cricketing shots, you just need to back yourselves. If you back your ability you can do well. There is no doubt about it. There is no need of huge power. You can get runs if you time the ball well."

Pace spearhead Lasith Malinga was conspicuous by his absence at the nets on Friday, but Rohit cleared the air, saying the Lankan was given rest.