Mumbai Indians (MI) are all set to take on Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2015 final at the Eden Gardens on Sunday. Rohit Sharma-led MI will look to win the IPL for the second time and the skipper feels that they will have to make one last effort to achieve the coveted trophy.
MI had defeated CSK at the same venue in 2013 to lift the IPL trophy and the memories will be fresh for the skipper as he would look to repeat it this time. His love-affair with the Eden Gardens has been commendable and he loves to play at the ground.
"This is the biggest thing. At the end of the day you have been waiting for this important day which is to get into the final and win the cup. No matter what you have done in the past, if you don't win the cup, it doesn't matter. All your hard work will go in vain and we don't want that," said Rohit in an interview with the official website of the IPL.
Mumbai Indians had an awful start to the IPL 2015, losing four games in a row and now they are ready for the big match against the mighty CSK. They have won eight out of their last nine matches to storm into the final of the T20 extravaganza.
"We completely agree that we didn't start off well. But we always believed that there is character in this team and the guys had lots of potential. It was just a matter of time that we put everything on the field and performed to our best, which we saw happening in the second half of the tournament.
"As a captain, it is important for me to come out and say that it is the one last effort that we need. We are in this position because of the hard work we have put in over the last month and a half. We are really determined to come and change the table and try and do our best in tomorrow's final," said Rohit.
On their route to the final, MI have already defeated CSK once by a margin of 25 runs at the Wankhede Stadium in the Qulaifier 1. A lot would depend on the MI hitman Rohit Sharma whether he can do it for his side. Although he looks determined to win it for MI, it will not be as easy as one would think against MS Dhoni-led Chennai Super Kings.
"All Indian players have played in this ground a lot. So I don't think it is too much of a difference for us when it comes to adjusting to conditions here. I understand the foreign players coming from various parts of the world might find it difficult playing here in Kolkata.
"But then again, they have played on this ground before. We started our campaign at this venue and we played really well here. Also, the toss shouldn't really affect your preparation and your mindset. You have to, at the end of the day, go and perform and get the best out of the team. All we want to focus is how we are going to play and win this cup," concluded Rohit.
