Three wins in the last four games have gotten the Mumbai Indians to enter the second half of the IPL 2024 league phase with a renewed belief, a renewed commitment to win and a renewed hunger to be competitive to the very end. 

Tilak Varma, the ‘Mr. Dependable’ this term, was optimistic at the pre-match conference for RRvMI on Sunday (April 21).

For starters, the southpaw underlined that the team atmosphere is calm, and the approach is to be grounded.

“Except for one year, Mumbai has always been in this scenario (start slow). At the start, we don't start that great, but Mumbai always catches up in the middle and end of the tournament. So, we always believe in our strategy, plans, practices, and everything else. So, hopefully, we will also do that this year, and we are trying to do that,” Tilak said.

“We are just focusing on one game at a time and are not looking much forward to the championship. We are just going one game at a time. As I said, we are just planning a strategy, and everything is going well. We will be winning in the coming games,” he added.

Starting well with the bat in the opening overs has been the ideal mantra in an IPL game, and we have given the Paltan some delicious moments to savour, as seen in the last game itself (against Punjab Kings). And when taking on an opposition bowler like Trent Boult, the only plan in place is to approach the game based on the conditions available, Tilak Verma reckons.

“Trent Boult is always very good at what he does, and thus, in every aspect of the game, like T20 or one day, he is a legendary bowler. But our batters are also in good rhythm. The wicket was tricky in the last match against RR, so I'll credit Trent Boult; he bowled well.”

“So, we will play cautiously at the start. We will take the time to see how the wicket goes. If the wicket gets going well, our batting lineup is always aggressive, and that power hitting as well. So, we'll show that same intent. If the wicket is doing something, we'll take some time initially, then plan according to the situation,” he said.

Lastly, it is all about winning games to stay in the race for the IPL playoffs. Each game is important, and there is no room for error. So, what is the agenda heading into the game versus the Royals at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium?

"We must not beat them on their home ground just because we lost at home," TV said.

“Cricket is a very funny game. As I said, we'll follow the basics and play based on the situation.

“If we focus too much on the first match, we forget to stay in the present. Staying in the present is the most important thing. As you said, everything is going well with our strategy, plan, and practice. So, we'll follow the same basics and move forward. Whatever happens, we'll give our best,” he added.

So, Paltan, the MI Boys are ready to set the momentum in our favour and continue MI-ssion 2024 with an upward stride. It begins with the trip to Rajasthan Royals, a game that also marks Hardik Pandya’s centenary outing in the Blue and Gold in the IPL. Let us know in the comments how matchday-ready you are, your key strategies if you were part of the MI think tank, and your strong words of support to the Class of ‘24.