Mumbai Indians have a balanced squad: Skipper Rohit Sharma

Mumbai, April 5 (IANS) Mumbai Indians skipper Rohit Sharma said on Sunday that a mixture of young talented Indian players and experienced international stars makes the team balanced.

"We have good number of talented Indians in our squad. We have retained 15 to 16 players. We have a balanced squad. International players are also doing well. Hope to start off Indian Premier League (IPL) well," Rohit said at team’s pre-season press conference here.

The skipper said that playing their first match of 2015 IPL at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata on April 8 was "something amazing".

Rohit-led Mumbai Indians clinched their first IPL trophy in 2013 beating Chennai Super Kings by 23-runs at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata.

"We have good memories in Kolkata. We won the 2013 IPL there, we know the conditions there. The match on Wednesday is important as it’s the first match of the season. We will be playing the defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders," Rohit said.

Rohit attended the IPL match officials' conclave on Saturday and had a brief discussion.

When asked what he said at the conclave he said: “We just had a brief discussion on how to run the game. It was conducted on the interest of the game. Whatever we came out with is for the betterment of the game. There were issues which were raised which I cannot tell in public."

Coming straight into IPL after the long World Cup, when asked if fatigue will be a factor for him, Rohit said: "I am absolutely prepared for IPL. We get to know the tournament schedule beforehand, so we can mentally be prepared for it."

He also said that the appointment of Australia’s two-time World Cup-winning captain Ricky Ponting (2003, 2007) as the coach will be a big boost for the team. 

“In 2013, he led Mumbai in the first six games and then dropped himself to get the balance right. This thing happens very rarely. He has shown that.

“Then he took up the mentor's role and then we went to win the championship. His thinking of the game is really broad. He understands the game really well. He knows how to win big tournaments,” the 27-year-old said.