Mumbai Indians Captain Rohit Sharma Downplays Role of Anchor in T20 Cricket
Rohit Sharma has been struggling with the bat this season (IPLT20.COM)
Rohit Sharma recently claimed that there is no role for an anchor in T20 cricket. The Mumbai Indians captain led his side to an emphatic victory over Lucknow Super Giants in the IPL 2023 Eliminator, thus setting a date with defending champions Gujarat Titans in the second qualifier.
Sharma scored a mere 11 in the all-important contest to prolong his dry run with the bat this season. Acknowledging his own poor form, the cricketer said that he is not bothered and is simply looking forward to doing things differently.
Rohit Sharma says mindset needs to be changed in T20s
Rohit Sharma believes that T20 teams do not require an anchor anymore, unless they are in deep trouble early in the innings. While speaking on Jio Cinema, the cricketer emphasised the importance of a change in mindset of batters in order to take the game to the next level.
“As I see it, there is no role for an anchor now. It is just how T20 cricket is played these days. Once in a while, you will be in that position and then someone needs to anchor the innings and finish off to a good score.”
“Guys are playing differently. If you do not change your mindset, you are going to get smashed. People on the other side are thinking about the game differently and taking it to the next level.”
The legendary opening batter also admitted his recent failures this season, but does not seem to be bothered with his lack of runs with the bat.
Across 15 matches for Mumbai Indians in IPL 2023, the batting veteran has managed just 324 runs at a substandard average of 21.60. Unlike his usual standards, he has notched up just two fifty-plus scores this season, with the highest of them being the 65 he scored earlier in the tournament.
“I just want to play that way and see what I can do. I have played this format for a long time and in a certain manner. But I want to do different things now. While doing that, (if) I get out, (it) does not really bother me.”
Sharma will now turn up for Mumbai Indians as captain in their final hurdle before the final, as they face Gujarat Titans in the second qualifier. The match will be played out at Ahmedabad’s Narendra Modi Stadium on May 26.
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