Mumbai: Former Mumbai Indians captain Rohit Sharma sounded confident of the new faces in the team to deliver as they seek sixth title in this edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL). Rohit, who led the franchise to five IPL titles, was replaced by Hardik Pandya as the captain of the side. Mumbai Indians have picked some exciting prospects, including South Africa pacer Gerald Coetzee, uncapped U-19 World Cup star Kwena Maphaka, England’s Luke Wood, Sri Lanka’s Nuwan Thushara, West Indies’ Romario Shepherd and Afghanistan’s Mohammad Nabi.
Among the Indians, Shreyas Gopal has also been roped in. Maphaka joined Mumbai Indians camp last week after Sri Lanka pacer Dilshan Madushanka was ruled out, while Wood replaced injured Australian bowler Jason Behrendorff.
“A lot of players that we got from the auction, a lot of new faces, young players who have done well in domestic cricket as well as international cricket… quite looking forward to that, hopefully they can make a mark right from the beginning,” Rohit said in a video posted by Mumbai Indians.
Rohit, who joined the camp on Monday, has had a customised training programme, which included simulated net sessions along with mobility, strength and conditioning drills. “For me, preparations have always been the key and that gives me a lot of confidence going into any game,” he said.
“There are a lot of things that I do before a game and I think I have done everything now… just a few things here and there which is left and which I will do now and I will be ready for the game,” Rohit said. Rohit is coming off a Test series against England, which India won 4-1.
