Ahmedabad (Gujarat) [India], March 29 (ANI): Speaking ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL) clash against Gujarat Titans (GT), former Mumbai Indians (MI) skipper and star batter Rohit Sharma spoke on the family-like bonding within the franchise, which makes it really hard to leave the team hotel for homes after two-three months together during every season of the league.

The Shubman Gill-led GT and five-time champions MI, led by Hardik Pandya, will face off at Ahmedabad's Narendra Modi Stadium. GT has a superior 3-2 record over MI, with all three wins coming at this venue. MI has not been able to defeat GT at its home ground.

Speaking in a video by Mumbai Indians (MI) on their X handle, titled 'Charcha with Rohit Sharma', Rohit said that when his team won the IPL in 2020 during COVID-19, a few people were crying as they went back home after a few memorable months spent together.

'You finish IPL for two months, and then when you go back home, you know that you have created another family. You know, while playing alongside them, going and creating memories. When we won all those trophies, it used to always feel sad to leave that hotel, you know, on the last day. I remember in Abu Dhabi when we won the 2020 IPL. I mean, I saw a few people crying. Because, you know, we were there for three and a half months in that bubble. Same hotel, same team room. It was very hard to leave that place after creating such memories after three and a half months. You do not want to leave,' recalled Rohit.

The Hitman said that there is a lot of buzz this year, with a 'different energy' brought in by new guys who have joined the franchise. He also spoke on which player helps other new players 'open up' and have fun with the team.

'Guys like Tilak (Verma), Surya (Suryakumar Yadav), Hardik (Pandya). You know, all of us, you know, have played for this team before. And it's our responsibility, our duty to make sure that, you know, the environment is fresh, nice and healthy,' said Rohit.

'Like, when Tilak Verma came to the team for the first time, he was very shy. He used to sit quietly in a corner. Now he is open, he has been playing for this team for three years. Now, he has taken the role that I have to open everyone up,' he added.

Rohit said that when a new player joins the team, it is his responsibility to 'free everyone.'

'See, anything you do for the team, whether it is a small, small, small little thing and it helps the team, why not? Guys like Trent Boult have been here before. A lot of experience, understands what the MI culture is. Then we have guys like Mitch Santner, who is the national captain (for New Zealand). Brings, again, a lot of experience, a lot of class to this team.'

'Guys like Will Jacks, Reece Topley, Corbin Bosch. And then we have got a very exciting youngster in Bevon Jacobs. A lot of these guys actually bring something different to the table. And that is what, you know, makes a team. When you have something different and you come together as a collective group, then it adds up. And then we have got such great younger Indian players,' he added.

Rohit said that his goal is to 'bring back the glory' to MI, which has not won the trophy after its win in 2020.

'But we do understand, winning trophies is like, I want to win the trophy, it is very... It may sound like, what is this? But we know that it takes a lot of hard work to win that trophy. There are a lot of things that have to come together. Because that is the challenge of IPL. To win 17 games, man. 17 games are like half the year of the T20 season. But you are playing that in two months. That is a challenge. So you have to win 17 games to win the trophy. Right? So... Yeah, there are a lot of boxes. And then comes the trophy. So you need to tick all those boxes first. And then get to the trophy,' he added.

Rohit expressed hope that MI has a fine season.

'We have good players in the team. Exciting players. Younger players, a lot of young players. Hopefully, we can put our best foot forward and try and do the right things. That is all I would say. I do not want to say that I want to go and win trophies. I will win trophies. I want to say that we will do the right things. If you do the right things, you will get what you are looking for,' he concluded. (ANI)