Excitement took over all the tiredness: Alex Hales

Alex Hales

Mumbai Indians (MI) thrashed Sunrisers Hyderabad by 9 wickets to qualify for the Indian Premier League's (IPL) playoffs. Between the starry night of enjoyment, new team mate, Alex Hales from England joined MI as a replacement for injured Corey Anderson.

Three days back, Nottinghamshire's opener Hales hit a match winning knock of 86 runs in just 43 balls which included 5 fours and 8 sixes in England.

Next day morning, he boarded the flight for India as he had been called by MI as Anderson’s replacement. And yesterday, he shared the dugout space with the MI team in Hyderabad. That was so quick of Hales, in just 72 hours; he swapped his outfit so quickly.

One would have rested because of the jetlag or long London to Hyderabad journey but Hales claims that the energy of his new teammates didn't let him feel tired.

"It has been a hectic few days for me. This afternoon when I came to the hotel, I was a little bit tired and thought I might just sneak in a little bit of sleep before the game. But once I got here, it was all about the adrenaline. I think the excitement just took over all the tiredness," said Hales as quoted by ipt20.com.

Alex Hales went unsold in this year's IPL auction but now he is happy to get a chance and wants to cement his place in the team.

"I was disappointed because T20 cricket is probably the game that I favour the most and suits me best. Unfortunately it didn’t happen straight away but I am delighted to get the chance now. This is a great opportunity for me to hopefully cement a place in the side for a few years."

26-year-old came into highlight when he smashed 6 consecutive sixes for his county team in one of the inaugural match of NatWest T20 Blast tournament. He hopes to do the same for MI now.

"I had no idea that it happened. It wasn’t until the game got over that I found out. It is a massive honour for me because these are things that happen very rarely in your career. That night was one of those nights where it happened and hopefully it can happen for the Mumbai Indians at some point of time."

Mumbai franchise will next play Chennai Super Kings in the first playoff match of the IPL at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai. It'll be tough for the new English's entry to be in the playing XI because MI look set now.

Hales added that he is excited and ready to go but if he doesn't gets to play this year then he'll keep patience for the next year.

“I think I have just got to be patient. The guys are in great form here so it is up to me to train hard, try and impress the coaches behind the scenes and make sure that if I do get a chance. I am itching to get a game but if the chance doesn’t come across this year, then I will keep my fingers crossed to get a go next year. I will be ready to take my opportunity.”