Rohit Sharma urges MI to show 'hunger and desperation' to turn things around

Following Mumbai Indians' (MI) third loss in as many matches in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2022, skipper Rohit Sharma has urged his players to show hunger and desperation to come out on top in the upcoming matches.

MI kicked off the season with a four-wicket loss at the hands of Delhi Capitals (DC) and followed that up with losses at the hands of Rajasthan Royals (23 runs) and Kolkata Knight Riders (5 wickets) in the following matches.

"We seriously cannot be blaming individuals here. It's all of us. We win together, we lose together. That is as simple as that for me," Rohit said in a passionate speech in the dressing room after the game against KKR.

𝕀𝕟 𝕥𝕙𝕚𝕤 𝕥𝕠𝕘𝕖𝕥𝕙𝕖𝕣

Skipper’s message to the entire team 👊💙#OneFamily #DilKholKe #MumbaiIndians #KKRvMI @ImRo45 pic.twitter.com/msWmXrUJD4

— Mumbai Indians (@mipaltan) April 7, 2022

"I think slight desperation is required from each one of us. That desperation is very, very, very important when we play, especially in this tournament. Because the opposition are different, they come up with different plans all the time. We just need to stay ahead of them. We just need to stay on top of them.

"And the only way we can do that is by having that slight hunger and that desperation on the field - with the bat, with the ball," he added.

"So we are doing some good things. All three games that we've played, we've done some really good things. It's just that those little moments, and that indication, you know an individual has to understand, in that period of time when the game is happening," he said.

"There will be an indication that 'this is the over'. What we do in that over, those little, little things - that we need to try and squeeze that, and get it towards our side. Get that momentum towards our side.

"We don't need to panic. Honestly, we talk about talent, potential and everything in this room but until we bring that desperation and hunger on the ground, oppositions are not going to hand us wins just like that."

The three losses, notwithstanding, the skipper said there is still plenty of time for MI to make a turnaround in the 10-team tournament.

"There's no point in putting our heads down at this point, because it's still early days. Still early days. And I feel that, in these three games that we've played, we've shown some character. It's just that collectively, all 11 of us inside - whoever goes inside - need to come together.

"That's all. Let's keep our heads up. I don't think we need to look down and start worrying about things. Honestly, we don't need to worry about things," Rohit said.

"...I think it's in there, what we want to achieve as a group. Again, this is not the bowling group or batting group, this is all of us all of us here. We need to come together, not one or two individuals. Everyone needs to come together."

MI take on Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) next in IPL 2022 at the MCA Stadium, Pune on Saturday (April 9).

(With inputs from PTI)