The Mumbai Indians got a much needed boost to their VIVO IPL 2016 campaign when they beat Kings XI Punjab in Mohali. The visitors came out all guns blazing when they were asked to bat by the hosts. Although they lost their man-in-form Rohit Sharma in the first over, Parthiv Patel played a match winning 81-run knock to set up the game and swing the fortunes in his team’s favour.

Although there were a couple of hiccups in his 58-ball knock, the wicketkeeper-batsman carried on with gusto and entertained with some glorious shots as he built a partnership with Ambati Rayudu. The duo matched each other shot for shot as they stitched a 137-run stand to set up the game for MI.

Parthiv spoke about getting back in the groove and taking on Mitchell Johnson in an interview with iplt20.com soon after his team had registered their third win of the season.
Excerpts:

How eager were you for that kind of an outing?

It is very important to get a good knock. It’s especially good if you get it at the start of the tournament. (However), it took me five-six games. I was batting well; I have been working really hard on my batting. That was the frustrating part; I was working so hard but wasn’t getting the runs. I would like to thank Ricky (Ponting) and Rohit (Sharma) for keeping faith and giving me an opportunity again so I could contribute.

You took on Mitchell Johnson from his first over in spite of a few nervous moments. Was that a plan?

Nothing like that. I like it when there is pace on the ball, and I know he bowls really quick and I thought he was bowling an ideal line for me. It (plan) was just to use the pace. It worked for me today. I am happy that I could hit a bowler like him and that I could hit him consistently through my knock.

What was the discussion with Ambati Rayudu after losing Rohit in the first over?

Not much. We had our plans of how many runs we wanted in the first six overs. And Rayudu is on top form and every time we felt that we were under a bit of pressure he smashed a six or a four so it took the pressure of me as well. It’s very important to have an in-form batsman play (in the middle) with you.

That the Mumbai Indians have bounced back after slow starts in the past would be an encouraging sign?

If you look at the history, it surely is an encouraging thing. But at the same time it is not ideal to start the tournament like we have started. This game is all about momentum, (and) hopefully we can win the coming games and carry the momentum (forward).

How do you look at the role that the openers are playing in the IPL?

It is very important for an opener to carry on and play till the 17th-18th over. If you want to get 170-180 odd runs, (one of) the top three has to play till the 17th-18th over. You can see that (happening) in the rest of the tournament as well. Opener plays a big role (in building totals).

What kind of a target were you looking to set Kings XI?

When Rayudu and I were playing we thought that 180 would be a good enough score on this wicket but we were lucky to get so many boundaries. Then Jos Buttler came in and played a beautiful cameo. That’s why we reached 189.

Do you feel you missed out on a century?

(Smiles) No, as long as 50s and 80s are coming I am fine. I don’t have to worry about 100s. If I get one that’s fantastic, but winning a game is more important.