Mumbai Indians Rohit Sharma Ruled Out of CLT20 2014

As they look forward to defend the Champions League T20 title, the Mumbai Indians will go into the tournament without the services of their regular captain Rohit Sharma in the 2014 season. (Also Read: Mumbai Indians Squad - CLT20 2014)

Coach John Wright said, “Rohit will not be playing in this tournament. We have held on as long as possible. We had a faint hope that Rohit might be able to make it but that’s not happening so we will make the decision (of who will lead MI) in the next 24 hours. We have players (in the squad) that have done it before and have been very successful.” (Also Read: CLT20 2014 Schedule and Fixtures)

The stylish batsman who led the team to twin victories – IPL and CLT20 in 2013 will be missing from the tournament due to an injury he sustained during the bi-lateral series against England recently. (Also Read: Lasith Malinga to play for Mumbai Indian in CLT20 2014)

Speaking about his team’s prospects of defending the title, he said, “We would like to go and win it. The opportunity is there for us to make it through. We will have three tough games under our belt which will put us in a great state for the next stage and that’s something that we are thinking about. We are up against three good teams. They look good on paper. They would have done their preparations so there should be some good cricket in the next few days with four teams desperate for two places. 

We had a camp about four weeks ago for our India based players in Bangalore so that was the start of the process for all of those who were in India and weren’t involved in cricket. And then we assembled exactly a week ago in Bangalore and had a 7-day camp. We have been working hard. We are prepared and some of our overseas players have also been involved in various leagues around the world.” 

Asked about who he thinks will play a key role for MI in the tournament, Wright said, “At this stage we don’t single anyone out.” 

After a shaky start in the IPL 2014, MI had regrouped well to enter the play-offs and will look forward to carry the positives from there into the CLT20 2014. Reflecting on the team’s run, Wright said, “We took a little while to settle down. I think coming back to India helped us. We had a great record before in Mumbai and it was a matter of getting that first win and getting some momentum going. Certainly Lendl Simmons came in and did an outstanding job for us. Just that confidence of getting that first win and we knew that we were very tough in Mumbai and we fought well. There was a lot of character shown by everyone and getting back in the competition and getting to where we are now. To qualify for this league was a good achievement. And we have got to capitalise on this opportunity.”

Asked which of the three teams, Lahore Lions, the Northern Knights and Southern Express he would rate as the toughest completion, the coach cautioned, “I think it is dangerous to start rating teams particularly in a knock-out qualifying situation. You have to respect every opposition that you are playing and that’s the beauty of T20, anyone can beat anyone.” 

Asked if the legendary Sachin Tendulkar would be arriving in the city, Wright said he wasn’t sure and added, “But there is no doubt, whether he is here or not - Sachin Tendulkar is part of MI and will always be. Those are the sort of players that create a legacy for any team that they play with. He has set an example and a standard for any team that he has represented.”

source: clt20.com