Rohit Sharma’s love for Kolkata’s Eden Gardens is unending. From getting his first IPL hundred to winning the second IPL title as a captain, Rohit’s love story with the Eden Gardens can make anyone jealous.
In between, he led Mumbai to first IPL win in 2013, scored his maiden Test century at this very venue and also made the record ODI score. In reality, he can’t do anything wrong here.
It was the Rohit-Kolkata love affair that turned it around in the final match after the Mumbai captain played a blinder just when his team needed the most. But it was the self-belief of his side, which scripted the biggest turn-around story of the IPL.
Those who doubted that Mumbai Indians were heavy on the support staff bit with likes of Sachin Tendulkar, Ricky Ponting, Anil Kumble, Shane Bond and Jhonty Rhodes, were proved wrong. These players showed tremendous maturity while handling the toughest of situations.
They were the only team this season to beat the Chennai Super Kings in their own backyard, which goes to show the kind of fire-power this team has. Before the IPL season started, the Royal Challengers Bangalore was the most talked about team in terms of explosive players.
But in the end, it was Mumbai, which emerged as the best of the lot. Their team icon Tendulkar rightly pointed out that it is never about the way you start, it’s always about the way you end.
Mumbai will also be proud to keep a early-to-bed-early-to-rise city like Kolkata awake well past mid-night with their resounding performances against the most formidable side in IPL history, CSK.
Incidentally, the 41-run win against CSK is also Rohit’s third IPL win as a player for a team and second as a Mumbai Indians player. Like his current teammate Pragyan Ojha, his first IPL win came during the 2009 season for the Deccan Chargers in South Africa.
So what is next big challenge for Rohit and his team? With the IPL governing council planning another knock-out tournament to replace the Champions League, all eyes will be again on Mumbai again when the field later this year.
Till then, Mumbai have plenty to cheer about for next few days to celebrate their great win in the IPL final. Monday morning was just the first day when they celebrated after the victory!
