After bowling exceptionally well in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 against Delhi Capitals (DC), Mumbai Indians (MI) leg-spinner Karn Sharma expressed his happiness following his match-winning spell for the five-time champions on Sunday.
Karn, who had won the IPL with Mumbai Indians in 2017, is considered as a 'Lucky Mascot' in IPL circles. He has been part of three IPL winning sides -- SRH in 2016, MI in 2017 and CSK in 2018.
He is now back in Mumbai Indians colours and played a starring role in a game where the odds were stacked against the visitors.
The seasoned leg spinner returned with figures of 3/36 in MI's 12-run triumph, their second of the season.
"First of all, I'm happy to play again for the Mumbai Indians after 6-7 years where I finished in 2017. Really happy to pick up where I left off. The discussion with the coaches and Hardik Pandya was just to take wickets. They were cruising at 10-11 runs-per-over. So it was important for (Mitchell) Santner and I to chip in with crucial wickets," Karn Sharma said in the post-match press conference.
"In such matches, every wicket is important. The way they were playing, the way they were performing, the way the batting was going on ... obviously, KL Rahul is a big name for them. And they finished the game very well in the last match. So, for us, all the wickets were important at that time."
"The change of ball can be termed as the game-changing moment. The old ball was getting wet due to dew. The new ball gives you that purchase from the wicket, which Santner and I were able to extract," he added.
The 37-year-old player added that uncertainty about a place in the Playing XI or 12, means one needs to capitalise on chances offered.
"IPL is one such tournament where you cannot predict if you will be in the starting XI. You just have to believe in yourself that wherever you get a chance, you have to perform, and at the end of the day, the team should win.
"Two points are most important. The way they were batting, they could have easily taken the game away. My mantra is 'It's a new day and a new opportunity'. I just have to wait for that," the leg spinner explained.
In the end, the spinner spoke about the turning point of the game.
"DC were on the front foot in the run chase. We were a bit under pressure until Karun Nair's wicket, after which 2-3 wickets fell in quick succession.
"The momentum broke after Karun was out. So, that's why the game changed.
"Thereafter, KL Rahul got dismissed, and we were right back in the game. He [KL Rahul] performed well in the previous match (93* runs off 53 balls vs RCB) so his wicket was pivotal," Karn said.
Having played a lot of club cricket in Delhi and matches at the Kotla, his first hand knowledge did prove to be helpful.
"Actually, I've played a lot in Delhi and I'm from Meerut. So, I know how the ball will go off the surface."
MI will now shift their focus to their upcoming fixture against struggling Sunrisers Hyderabad on Thursday.
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