Mohali: Keeping their play-off hopes alive after registering their third consecutive win of the IPL season, Mumbai Indians wicketkeeper-batsman Parthiv Patel said that the team will look to keep the momentum going in the upcoming T20 cricket matches.
The Rohit Sharma-led side outplayed last-placed Kings XI Punjab by 23 runs to record their fourth win in 9 games to be seventh on the table.
When asked how crucial it was for the team to have got the momentum back, Parthiv said, "Obviously it is important in this tournament. That's how it has gone over the years. The team which is on the roll has to make sure that they keep winning a lot of games. This tournament is all about momentum. I am happy that we have had a break of five days and gone back and won two games."
Asked what has the team done differently after losing first few games, Parthiv said, "I don't think we have done anything different, we were just focusing on the process, I know results were not in our favour in first five games. We were focusing on positives, we needed just one win to get the ball rolling."
MI rode on a 111-run opening partnership between Lendl Simmons (71) and Parthiv (59) to post 172 for three while batting first and eventually winning the game by 23 runs. Parthiv said that a good opening start is always key to success in T20 cricket.
"And in the last few games we got start, we got 40-45 start? Obviously, I thought we both were in good touch, I was getting starts and getting out, but we both got good starts today," he said.
About what has it been like opening with Simmons, he said, "It's always great to play along side a West Indian, they are always fearless and that's how he (Simmons) plays and that actually transfers into me as well, I can play a fearless game. If both of us get going, we are bound to get good starts."
Parthiv, whose 36-ball knock was laced with 5 fours and 3 sixes, was severe on Mitchell Johnson (1-41), and the left-handed batsman admitted that he enjoyed the challenge against the Australian left-armer.
"Every time I play against him I fancy him? I have always done well against him... Nothing was planned (to target Johnson)."
