IPL 2021: MI can be proud of fabulous run over last 5-6 years, says Rohit Sharma after title defence ends

Mumbai Indians captain Rohit Sharma said he felt a little disappointed that the 5-time champions were not able to qualify for the play-offs of IPL 2021 but said the franchise can hold their heads high for their performances over the last 5-6 years in the cash-rich T20 league.

Mumbai Indians gave it their all to make the most of an outside chance to reach the play-offs in their final league stage match on Friday in Abu Dhabi. MI headed into the match, knowing they had a mountain to climb as they needed to beat Sunrisers Hyderabad by 171 runs.SRH vs MI, IPL 2021: Highlights | ReportIshan Kishan and Suryakumar Yadav sent the Sunrisers Hyderabad on a leather hunt as they hitting 84 and 82, respectively in quick time as Mumbai Indians posted 235, their highest total in the history of the tournament. However, Sunrisers Hyderabad came up with an impressive chase, hitting 193 and falling short of the total by only 42 runs, ending Mumbai’s hopes of a miracle.With the defeat, Mumbai Indians’ title defence came to an end. They had won the titles in 2019 and 2020 and were hoping for a hat-trick but an inconsistent run in IPL 2021 cost them an opportunity to create history.”We have had on and off season this time around. We have had a fabulous run as a franchise. It was wonderful to be part of this set-up, we can be very proud of that. We were getting momentum in Delhi and there was a break, that didn’t help the team. It was a collective failure of group,” Rohit Sharma said.Fans have always been supportive: Rohit thanks MI familyRohit thanked the Mumbai Indians fans for backing them through their highs and lows and expressed disappointment at not being able to fulfil their expectations this season.”Very happy with win today, we gave everything, I am sure it was entertaining for the fans as well. They have always been supportive, they have always stood by us. Little disappointed we didn’t go through,” he added.Mumbai Indians have won 4 titles in the last 6 years (2015, 2017, 2019, 2020) but they might have to give up on their envious core group as IPL 2022 will have 10 teams and will be preceded by a mega auction. It remains to be seen if MI can continue their dominance in the T20 league if they are rebuild their core.Rohit though said he doesn’t see the expectations on Mumbai Indians as pressure but a reflection of the faith on the quality of the team over the years.”When you play for a franchise like Mumbai, you are always expected to go out and perform. I wouldn’t call that as pressure. More than anything, it’s expectations.”Chennai Super Kings take on table-toppers Delhi Capitals in the Qualifier 1 on Sunday while Kolkata Knight Riders will face Royal Challenges Bangalore in Eliminator on Monday, October 11.