As a leader, I would like to step up and perform in every game: Rohit Sharma

MUMBAI INDIANS CAPTAIN ROHIT SHARMA on Tuesday said he was keen to step up and open to get the right balance in his side. The 28-year-old believes, to lift the trophy again this year it is important for every batsman to contribute and like always, he wants to lead the batting unit.

As reported by Cricinfo, the Mumbai lad said, 

"It's important to get the balance and the position of each player right, where they have batted for their country/state, it's important to keep that going. For me, I've been opening for a while - three years now - so I'd like to continue that for the remainder of the series. But everything depends on the balance, if I feel me batting top of order is not right for the team, I'll come down as a middle-order batsman."

The defending Champions suffered a humiliating 9 wicket defeat to debutants Rising Pune Supergiants on Saturday. But Captain Sharma is confident that MI players are not carrying any baggage from the previous contest. 

"This is a professional unit you don't need to motivate anyone. The performance (in the last game) was not something we wanted. It was disappointing but things like this can happen. You cannot get demotivated, you have to get stronger and look forward. What has happened has happened, don't want to carry any baggage."

Acknowledging the depth in his side’s batting order Sharma added, 

“Last year, we hardly had anyone in the top five in the batting list which shows that everybody contributed and shared the responsibility. You will have individual performances and brilliance at times, but if you want to win the tournament, it has to come from everyone not just one person. In the last three years, we have had so much success because the responsibility was shared. I would expect the same, but as a leader, I would like to step up and perform every game."
 

Mumbai Indians will look to turn the tables as they are set to face Kolkata Knight Riders at Eden Gardens on Wednesday.