Rohit lauds all-rounder Krunal

Defending champions Mumbai Indians pulled off a much needed six-wicket win over Royal Challengers Bangalore on Wednesday to give themselves better start to the IPL since first winning the title in 2013.

They have won two of five games and the last two losses were close affairs, indicating that they seem to be getting the combination right though there seems to be some difference of opinion in selection.

Coach Ricky Ponting had indicated before the match that Martin Guptill may continue to open meaning Rohit would continue at no 4. Instead, Guptill made way for the experienced Kieron Pollard after just one game and Rohit opened the innings with Parthiv Patel on Wednesday.

“I will bat at top of the order for more or less rest of the tournament. At the end of the day, everything boils down to the balance of the squad,” said Rohit after the match.

Rohit has two match-winning knocks at the top. He scored an unbeaten 84 against KKR to help MI chase 188 and a 44-ball 62 against RCB to help chase 171. However he has flopped when MI batted first.

Pollard who was “bit underdone” according to Ponting failed in the first three games and missed the fourth due to “food poisoning”. He sealed his spot for now with a match winning 19-ball 39 not out against RCB.

“Unfortunately we missed Pollard in the last game so we had to get someone in. We wanted Pollard to return to form as quickly as possible and today was a perfect day for him. The team looks more settled now with Rayudu batting at three and myself at the top.”