Aditya Tare, the wicketkeeper-batsman, on Friday said that Mumbai Indians still have a great chance of making the playoffs of the Vivo IPL. The defending champions have had a poor start to the season, winning just one of their first six matches, but Tare said that all is not lost.

“We’re still in a situation where things are in our hands. So, if we play well from now on, I think we’ve got a great chance. The first target is to make the playoffs. We have to try and finish in the top four. And, then, it’s a different tournament from there on. Yes, at the moment, things are still in our hands. We haven’t had the ideal start, but one positive thing is that we’ve got eight games to go. We can still turn things around,” he told the media at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Gahunje, near Pune. MI take on Chennai Super Kings on Saturday.

Tare spoke at length about Kieron Pollard, who has had an underwhelming season so far. He also explained how the management trusts the West Indian’s abilities. “It speaks a lot about the amount of trust and faith that the management and the franchise is putting in the players. I think it’s a great sign because you need stability. Once you pick your best XI, it’s important that you give them a lot of stability in terms of playing the game. Obviously, the result has not gone our way, but the performances have been really good. Except for the last game, which I guess was our worst in terms of performance, the other four games went to the last ball. That really doesn’t show that we played poorly. We haven’t got the result that we wanted but we’ve played well so far. I completely believe that stability is important. You have to trust your players. It’s important, especially during these times. So that’s what the management has been doing and that’s good,” Tare said.

Tare added that Pollard will deliver the goods. “He is one of our main players. He bats in a position where he can play a part in winning games for the team. He has done that in the past. Unfortunately, it hasn’t happened so far this season. But he is a match-winner, and everyone believes in his abilities. I’m sure he will deliver. He has delivered a lot of times. He has delivered in finals. He has won games for Mumbai Indians from hopeless situations and he is someone who can win games on his own. It hasn’t happened this season because the opportunities he got were not ideal. He has got like three or four overs to play, and without much support from the other end. When he comes good, he will make sure that he wins games,” he said.

Asked about Rohit Sharma’s batting position, Tare said the skipper believes he can contribute better by batting at No. 4. “Rohit is a phenomenal player. Even if he bats at the top of the order or in the middle order, I think he has got potential or ability to score runs and win games. Also, it’s not the first time that he has come down the order. He has won games at No. 4. And, obviously, he opens for Team India, but he has won games batting at No. 4. So, irrespective of the fact that he opens or bats at No. 4, it is important that he bats well. So, for me, I don’t think it’s a problem. It’s his decision to bat at No. 4. He feels that’s the best for the team. That shows his character. He is selfless and is doing it for the team,” Tare explained.