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IPL 2021: MI skipper Rohit Sharma optimistic of making a hat-trick of titles

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 With the 14th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) set to commence in a few hours time, Mumbai Indians skipper Rohit Sharma is confident of their chances ahead of the extravaganza and said that the feeling in the camp is absolutely electric and all the players are upbeat and raring to go in a bid to win their 6th IPL title and a make a hattrick of IPL trophies. 

"The feeling in the camp is absolutely electric and upbeat. It is the start of the new season, we all know that. The guys are very excited to get going. We've got some new faces in the squad as well which is exciting. IPL is always an exciting time and coming off from playing a lot of cricket as well. So, looking forward to get going. I think it is going to be a good one this year as well. Hopefully, we can do the right things. We can continue from where we left in Dubai," Rohit was quoted as saying during a video interview for the Mumbai Indians which was posted on Twitter. 

Mumbai Indians had a dream run in the 2020 edition where they dominated like kings and were way ahead of any other teams all through the tournament. They played some exceptional brand of all-round cricket and eventually managed to seal their 5th IPL title and second on a trot. Trent Boult alongside Jasprit Bumrah proved to be a match-winning combo with the ball in hand. MI have two more players from New Zealand this time around in the form of Adam Milne and Jimmy Neesham. 

Speaking on the New Zealand trio of Boult, Milne and Neesham who recently got out of quarantine after landing in India last week, Rohit Sharma said that both Milne and Neesham are great additions to the squad and is expecting the same things from Boult this season. 

"I'm pretty sure they all are excited to just get out on the park. They have been in quarantine for seven days and I know how it feels when you come out the first day. It is nice just to get to breathe fresh air and get to be on the park and do what you love. So. I'm sure those three guys are feeling the same. It is good to have Jimmy Neesham for the first time in the MI squad and Adam Milne, who's been part of the MI before. Good to have him back as well. Of course, Trent who played a big part last season for us, we expect nothing less from him this year as well," Rohit said.

Veteran leg-spinner Piyush Chawla was snapped up by the Mumbai Indians in the auctions and Rohit feels that the induction of Piyush Chawla will give his side the variety which they are looking for. Chawla has been around the IPL circuit ever since its inception and it will be interesting to see how he shapes up in MI colours.

"He is quite experienced in terms of playing IPL games. He has been around for a number of years now and knows exactly what this team expects him to do. I'm pretty sure that he is going to able to live by that because of his experience and the number of wickets he has taken in the IPL. He brings the variety in our squad which were looking for. I've played with him since my U-19 days so I know him pretty well, he knows me well. It is going to be good camaraderie between both of us on the field," he concluded.

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Bangladesh include 3 uncapped pacers in 21-member preliminary squad for Sri Lanka series

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Had told the management before auctions that I would open this time: Virat Kohli

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IPL 2021 | CSK rope in Jason Behrendorff in place of Josh Hazlewood

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Great to have Bhuvneshwar Kumar back in the team: David Warner

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