An illustrious team, an illustrious coaching panel, and Mark Boucher is all set to carry the mantle forward. With the IPL 2023 auction approaching, and before he gets super busy with numbers, crunching, and rebuilding our squad, we got him to sit down for a chat with us. Excerpts…

On coaching Rohit Sharma

It’s going to be quite interesting. I have played against Rohit before. I think he is a fantastic player and a good leader as well, so I’m really looking forward to it. Looking forward to sitting down and having a chat with him. I think we have one or two things in common. I know he likes conservation, so that will be an interesting chat as well. So yeah, I think there are certain ways that I coach and it will be interesting conversation to have with him.

On the #OneFamily culture

I have seen all the #OneFamily culture signs all over and that for me is very interesting as well. I am sure I will sit down with Mahela at some stage and he will tell me what it’s all about. But yeah, I have seen it from the outside and it looks like it was quite an exciting little project that was put together. Looking forward to become one of those family members as well.

On the expectations from the team

There is always expectations. It is one of the best franchises in world sport. And with that comes a lot of responsibility. So, I’m a guy who’s driven by results. I am very result-oriented as well. So, yes, I know that I have got to perform and the players have got to perform as well. I am really looking forward to that challenge.

On Aamchi Mumbai

Mumbai city, first of all The Necklace. I’ve been on a couple of runs along the beachfront there. Mumbai never sleeps as well so it’s quite an exciting place to go and tour. I’ve always really enjoyed Mumbai. It was the first place that I ever went to in India on an under-19 tour. I was amazed by the buzz and the hype around Mumbai, and when I’ll get back there, I’ll feel the same sort of space as well.

On the special MI Paltan

Yeah, look, I think the fans are always important specially with the IPL. Mumbai Indians’ fans have been very successful. So the message to the fans is hopefully we can bring a trophy, but there’s one thing that we will do, which is we will have fun and play a good brand of cricket.