GT vs MI, IPL 2023: Mumbai Indians skipper Rohit Sharma sent a strong warning to Hardik Pandya and Gujarat Titans ahead of their Indian Premier League 2023 Qualifier 2 match on Friday as he has confidence that unheralded Akash Madhwal has the ability to fill the void in their pace attack left by Jofra Archer. MI advanced one step closer to the title match with an 81-run victory against Lucknow Super Giants thanks to the outstanding fast bowling from Madhwal, who had figures of 5 for 5 in 3.3 overs. Follow IPL 2023 LIVE updates with InsideSport.IN
“He (Akash) was the part of the team last year as a support bowler, and once Jofra (Archer) was gone and I knew he had skills and the character to do the job for us,” Rohit said.
“Over the years, we have seen many guys coming in from Mumbai Indians and playing for India. It is important to make them (youngsters) feel special and make them feel part of the team, my job is to just make them comfortable in the middle,” the India captain said. “They (youngsters like Madhwal) are very clear in their roles about what they need to do for the team and that’s what you want.”
Akash Madhwal said that due of his engineering training, he tends to pick up new information rapidly. Madhwal, who turns 30 in November, put off playing competitive leather ball cricket until he was 23 years old in order to concentrate on earning his BE degree. When he reached 24, Uttarakhand received BCCI affilation, and he began playing competitive cricket. He was a tennis ball cricket player.
“I was just practicing, and waiting for this opportunity. I did my engineering, and played tennis-ball cricket since it was my passion. Engineers have a tendency to learn quickly,” Akash Madhwal said. “I just practice, and that is what we execute. I’m proud of myself, but I’ll try to be better.”
He has been Jasprit Bumrah’s substitute for the current campaign, but when questioned about stepping into the Indian speed spearhead’s shoes, he was embarrassed. “Bumrah bhai has his own place, and I’m just trying to play my role. Nicholas Pooran was the best wicket. Everyone at home believes I’m working hard.”
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