Pushed into batting first, Mumbai Indians crumbled to 48/4 after which to 123/7 at one level, having a look at risk of being shot out for a below-par general. But Varma stood tall and inspired everybody along with his talent and temperament in hitting 9 barriers and 4 sixes at a strike-rate of 182.6, as Mumbai were given 69 runs from the ultimate 5 overs.
“Didn’t have a great start but was a good effort from Tilak at the end. But the bowlers didn’t bowl well. We didn’t bat well enough, it was a good pitch. Some of the shorts he played today, he showed a lot of courage.
We wanted to be courageous enough, and hats off to Tilak for getting us to the total. Was a good pitch to bat on. We didn’t bat to our potential. 30-40 runs would have been ideal. We were struggling to play the catch-up game,” stated Rohit on the post-match presentation rite.
With the ball, Mumbai’s bowlers had been in all places as Virat Kohli and Faf du Plessis smashed half-centuries in a 148-run opening partnership. Though they were given two wickets, it used to be too overdue by way of then to steer clear of a loss of their opening tournament of IPL 2023,
Rohit refused to make use of the absence of Jasprit Bumrah as a reason why at the back of lackluster bowling efficiency.
“For the past six-eight months I am used to playing without Bumrah. We can’t control things which we can’t control. The other guys are also talented. A lot of the guys haven’t played IPL before. First game of the season, a lot to look forward to,” he stated.
Du Plessis, who used to be named Player of the Match for his 73 off 43 balls, together with 5 fours and 6 sixes, felt nice in enjoying an element in making a cheerful homecoming for RCB.
“It’s awesome to play (in M Chinnaswamy Stadium). It’s my first time playing here as a home player, especially batting with Virat Kohli. You have to try and stay with the youngsters. I try to push the old hamstrings so that I can move in the field. To start the campaign with a bang, was huge,” the RCB skipper stated.
Faf used to be additionally appreciative of the bowlers for ratting Mumbai’s top-order batters in power-play.
“It was a nice way to start the way we did in the powerplay. Siraj with his tail up is a beautiful thing. The bowler stuck to his task,” he stated.
“The last two or three overs were a bit of learning. The cutters were working really well, it was not easy to hit the ball. There was value for your shots. Credit to the groundsman. Even the spinners found something,” he added .
(With inputs from IANS)