Mumbai’s stand-in skipper Kieron Pollard is not concerned by his team’s defeat to Rajasthan Royals.
Pollard has skippered the side in the last two games due to an injury to opener Rohit Sharma.
Mumbai passed up the chance to go clear at the top of the IPL table as they fell to defeat to the Royals.
The Indians made 195-3 from their innings after Hardik Pandya’s unbeaten 60 looked to have put them well in control in Abu Dhabi.
However, Pollard and Mumbai had no answer to a brilliant display from England all-rounder Ben Stokes. He smashed 107 not out to chase down the total in the 19th over.
It resigned MI to a fourth defeat of IPL 2020 but didn’t concern Pollard too much.
The West Indies star says focus will quickly turn to the final three group games.
He said: “I thought Hardik brought us straight back into the game, but well played to Stokes and well played to Samson.
“The wicket ended up being a good wicket with a little bit of dew. It played into their strengths. But having said that, well played to the opposition.
“It really doesn’t do much to the campaign, we still have three games to do. We just have to come out with good cricket.
“Our bowlers tried but it wasn’t meant to be today. [Hardik] keeps showing time and time again, doesn’t matter the position of the team. Tough luck an innings like that he ends up on the losing side.”
Mumbai still just need one more win to guarantee their spot in the IPL playoffs.
They are next in action against third-placed Royal Challengers Bangalore on Wednesday. That game could also go a long way to deciding which team makes a top-two place.
Joy and Frustration for Stokes
Ben Stokes was pleased to have an impact for the Royals after joining the IPL late.
His participation this year was delayed after he took time to be with his ill father.
Despite his brilliant ton, the England star wishes he could have hit form sooner.
He said: “It's sort of bittersweet, to be honest, that it's taken me this long to get into the tournament for the team.
“I would have preferred to get this form two or three games ago when we weren't relying on other results to get us through to the qualifiers.
“I came into this game with a bit more confidence than other games and it was nice to spend some time out in the middle.
“We got ourselves into a great position by putting the pressure back onto every bowler who came on. I just kept reminding him (Samson) ‘let's me and you be here at the end, don't leave it to anyone else'.”
