Mumbai Indians will make it right next season: Ishan Kishan

Mumbai Indians (MI) have had a season to forget having picked up just a couple of wins from their 11 matches so far and are out of contention for a place in the playoffs. Reflecting on the season so far, MI wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan says that his side have lost many close matches, but they will learn and make it right next season. 

"Ups and downs are very much a part of this game. Yes, we will lose matches, there will be matches where we would not perform, but what matters is how we keep the process right throughout the season," Kishan said during a pre-match conference ahead of their game against Chennai Super Kings (CSK).

"We want to win matches, we are giving our best, but unfortunately, we lost many close matches this season. This happens, and I think we will make it right next season."

Kishan admits that he may have lost focus looking to finish the games for MI instead of just looking to provide them with a good start. A chat with skipper Rohit Sharma and head coach Mahela Jayawardene also helped, he said.

"What worked well for me was, initially when I started the tournament, I was not over-thinking, I was just going and batting like I used to do," Kishan said.

"My focus was on giving a good start to the team. But I think later on, somewhere I was trying to finish the game... maybe I lost my focus in the first six overs. 

"I had a chat with the coach and captain also, and they just said, 'If you can give us a good start, it will be helpful for the team, so you do not have to think about finishing the game. If you are set there in the middle, you will anyway do that," he added.

Having been bought for INR 15.25 crore, Kishan says that he has been advised by the likes of Virat Kohli, Rohit and Hardik Pandya to not let the price tag put extra pressure on him.

"It is secondary. Whether you have been sold for 1 crore, base price or 15 crores - what matters is how you make the team win. Or if you are not in form, how you are helping others bring out their best," Kishan said.

A win for MI against CSK later today could potentially take them a step closer to avoiding the wooden spoon in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2022.