In a bid to secure a spot in the Playoffs of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023, five-time champions Mumbai Indians are set to face Lucknow Super Giants in a crucial away clash that could potentially propel them to the second position in the league table.
With 12 points from 12 games, Mumbai Indians currently sit third in the standings, trailing behind Chennai Super Kings (15 points) and Gujarat Titans (16 points). Given that CSK has played 13 matches and the Titans have played 12, a victory against Lucknow on Tuesday could allow Mumbai Indians to surpass Chennai and improve their ranking.
Veteran spinner Piyush Chawla attributes Mumbai Indians' remarkable comeback to the team's camaraderie and enjoyment of the game. Chawla, having his best-ever IPL season, expressed confidence in the team's ability to reach the playoffs, emphasizing that their destiny lies in their own hands ahead of the upcoming match against Lucknow Super Giants.
"Our fate is in our hands. If we win our remaining two matches, we can finish in the top one or two positions. We just want to play good cricket. The team gained momentum at the right time. The confidence is high, but we must be cautious not to become overconfident," Chawla stated on the eve of the clash.
Last year, Chawla missed out on the IPL for the first time, leading him to contemplate his future in the game. However, he decided to return to the tournament for the sake of his son, who was eagerly following the IPL.
"When I wasn't picked last year and was doing commentary, I had many thoughts in my mind. I couldn't decide whether to make a comeback or explore other options. My son was growing up, and he was excited about the IPL. So, my family encouraged me to push myself and play for him. I'm playing for him and giving that extra effort," Chawla revealed.
As an experienced player, Chawla did not resort to any special measures after being excluded from the IPL last year. He simply maintained faith in his abilities and supported himself.
"When you've been playing for 20 years, you don't need to do anything special. I played T20 matches wherever I could. I'm someone who is done with bowling in the nets. I love the challenge of bowling in a match," Chawla remarked.
At 34 years old, Chawla shows no signs of slowing down and is determined to continue playing as long as he contributes to the team's success.
"If it's up to me, I'd like to play for another 10 years. As long as I'm contributing to the team and putting my body on the line, I'll continue playing."
Mumbai Indians have been unstoppable in recent matches after a slightly challenging start to the tournament. Chawla attributes the team's success to their unity and hitting their stride at the right time.
"We were backing each other and enjoying our cricket. The beauty of cricket is that it's a team game, but it also involves individual performances for the team's success. People say Mumbai Indians conceded 200 runs, but we also chased it down. This indicates the type of pitches we are playing on. The way we have finished games is a joy to watch from the dressing room," Chawla explained.
Following the clash with Lucknow Super Giants, Mumbai Indians will play their final league match against Sunrisers Hyderabad at home in Wankhede Stadium on May 21 to conclude the league stage. Rohit Sharma's side aims to win both games and secure a top-two finish.