Very important for Mumbai to win the next two games: Lad

As Mumbai looks to shake off the disappointments of two consecutive draws, vice-captain Siddhesh Lad made it clear that the team wants to end the first leg of the Ranji Trophy on a positive note.

After an away game against Rajasthan, Mumbai will play its next couple of games at home against Himachal Pradesh and Pondicherry, respectively, before the tournament heads for a break.

“Both these matches are very important for us. We have to finish the first leg well. I feel as a team we have done well. We made some mistakes in the first innings (against Rajasthan), but we have learned from our mistakes,” Lad said on Friday.

After a flat pitch hurt Mumbai’s chances in its previous match in Jaipur, returning to the home turf will be a boost for Mumbai.

“Of course, if you are playing at your home, you know the conditions, (and) everything about the pitch. We are well prepared in that way. We know that it is very important to win both the games for us if we want to qualify for the knockout stage,” he said.

Asked whether the team is under pressure, Lad said: “Any game for Mumbai, (or) even for the club cricket, pressure will be always there. If we play for Mumbai, all (of) India watches your score (and) your scorecard. Even if we lose the finals, it is counted as a bad year for us, so there is always pressure”.