Rohit hails ‘champion’ Malinga for bowling title-winning final over

Mumbai Indians captain Rohit Sharma singled out Lasith Malinga for high praise after the Sri Lanka veteran pacer used all his experience and dished out an exceptional last over to defend nine runs and seal a thrilling one-run win in the Indian Premier League (IPL 2019) final against Chennai Super Kings in Hyderabad on Sunday.

With the equation brought down to a tantalising two off one ball, Malinga went for the slower delivery and trapped Shardul Thakur lbw that triggered wild celebrations on the field and in the MI dugout.

“Throughout the tournament we played some good cricket which was the reason we qualified at the top. We planned to split the tournament into two parts, everything we did as a team, we got the rewards for them. We have a squad of 25 players, everyone came in at some stage and did the job; the support-staff as well,” Rohit said at the post-match presentation ceremony.

“Our bowling in particular was excellent, at different stages in the game, the bowlers put their hands up and brought us back. Every bowler who got an opportunity put their hand up, took responsibility and that’s why we got the rewards for it. Malinga is a champion, he has been doing it for many years for us.” (ALSO READ: Team that made one lesser mistake won: Dhoni)

Rohit admitted that he was planning on giving Hardik Pandya to bowl the final over but went with experience instead. “I was thinking of Hardik for the final over, but I wanted to back someone who has been in that situation for us before, and Malinga has been there many times. I am learning in every game, every time I take the field. I have to credit the team as well, it is up to the boys to step up otherwise the captain is made to look foolish. Credit to the boys” he explained.