Mumbai Indians can ensure a top-two finish by beating Kolkata Knight Riders at the Wankhede Stadium on Sunday. The clash will be the last game of the league stage in Indian Premier League (IPL) 2019 and the boys will be eager make amends after losing our previous meeting against KKR last week. Ahead of the clash MI sent Rahul Chahar, Jayant Yadav and Anukul Roy to speak to the reporters at the pre-match press conference.

The trio began by speaking about how proud they are to represent MI and be a part of #OneFamily. “When I was young, Mumbai Indians used to be my dream team. So, when I represented Mumbai Indians for the first time, it was a surreal feeling. It is similar to the sensation you get when donning the India jersey,” Chahar said.

Anukul echoed Chahar’s sentiments. “It felt very good playing for Mumbai Indians. I got the chance to debut this year, I was with the team last year as well. The debut this year was a great experience, I got to learn a lot living with this family,” he said.

“It is a big honour and with that honour also there is a great responsibility. Representing Mumbai Indians is always huge. Mumbai Indians has been a powerhouse in India and as I said, it is an honour and a responsibility for you as a player to do your best and contribute towards the team whenever you get the chance,” Jayant Yadav added.

Even though he made his debut for MI this season, Anukul is under no illusion about the amount of hard work required of him to feature more regularly in the playing XI. “We all have to work harder (for more game-time). Only then can I get more matches in the IPL. And I'll try to improve as much as possible in every game that I get, which in turn will get me closer to the aim I’ve set,” Anukul remarked.

MI have handed out 10 debuts this year and Yadav explained how well-calculated those decisions were. “We have seen 10 debuts for MI this year and I think that is a fantastic thing in itself. And that also shows how tactically good we are for every game and every condition in our squad. So, the Wankhede might throw a different condition or Chennai might throw a different condition at you, Delhi might throw a different condition at you. Not only the condition, but (also) the batting line up. It's like managing a player against player, or a player against top three. So that is a tactical decision. And I think we've been spot on in every tactical decision we have made this year,” Yadav opined.

Out of the three players in the conference, Chahar has featured most regularly in the playing XI for MI this campaign. He’s taken 10 wickets and is grateful for the help he’s received from MI’s support staff. “I got to learn a lot from experience, last year too I was with MI. I did not play games, but I got to learn a lot from Sachin sir and (Mahela) Jayawardene and all the mentors. After the starting three games (this season) I was having a problem, the ball was not turning at the stumps. So, the next day Zaheer sir accompanied me to the nets. He specially came to explain where and how to turn the ball to get better results. Everyone here lives together and helps each other,” Chahar said.

When asked about his approach while bowling this season, Chahar added: “It depends on the situation and conditions. If the team needs a wicket then I aim to get a wicket. Leg spinners have a better chance to get wickets compared to others. So, it all depends on the situation, whether we need wickets, we need to stop the flow of runs or how the batsman is, whether I can get him out or not. So, it depends on all that, you can't say anything beforehand.”