"Last year we did a big favour to RCB, I hope we get the result what we are looking for" - Rohit Sharma says after MI vs SRH

Mumbai Indians captain Rohit Sharma expressed his hopes to qualify for IPL 2023 playoffs following an emphatic eight-wicket win over Sunrisers Hyderabad in Mumbai on Sunday, May 21.

Rohit's men sealed an important victory while chasing 201 against SRH at the Wankhede Stadium on Sunday. All-rounder Cameron Green scored a magnificent century (100*) and fast bowler Akash Madhwal bowled a stupendous spell (4/37). Their contributions were imperative for MI to pocket the final two points in the league stage.

MI pipped Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) at fourth place in the table with 16 points in 14 matches. However, the five-time IPL champions were not guaranteed a playoff spot yet. MI need defending champions Gujarat Titans to defeat RCB tonight as a win for the latter can help them to regain their position in the last four.

MI, meanwhile, defeated Delhi Capitals last year in their last game of the IPL 2022 league stage, which helped RCB reach the playoffs.

Speaking after their win over SRH on Sunday, Rohit Sharma admitted that they are accountable themselves if they don't qualify. However, the Mumbai Indians captain was hopeful for some assistance from GT, recalling how they helped RCB to qualify for the playoffs last season.

Rohit Sharma said:

"We came with that mindset, we wanted to win and not worry about what happens elsewhere. What you can control, you can control and then hope for the best. I haven't spoken to anyone (from Gujarat Titans camp)."

He added:

"If we don't go through, we've got ourselves to blame for it. If we go through, I'll give all the credit to the boys. That's how it works. Last year, we did a big favour to RCB, I hope we get the result what we are looking for."

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"We did a lot of things right as we went along" - Rohit Sharma

Mumbai Indians won five out of their last seven games in IPL 2023, including four 200-plus chases in the second innings. Three out of those four chases took place at the Wankhede Stadium.

Explaining the things that went right and wrong for MI throughout the league phase, Rohit Sharma said:

"We did a lot of things right as we went along. We didn't start well and then won three on the trot. The crucial moments in the game that we lost - there were a lot of moments like that."

He added:

"The game against Punjab here where we needed around 34 runs off 18 balls, we could have probably played well. And the last game against LSG, we had the game in our hands after the first half of the innings. We can't look too much into that. Sometimes it just doesn't come along."

Mumbai Indians last qualified for the playoffs in IPL 2020 when they lifted the coveted trophy for the fifth time in the United Arab Emirates.