Rohit Sharma : Consistency key in IPL

After winning his first IPL crown with the now defunct Deccan Chargers, Sharma moved to Mumbai Indians, where he won two more titles. He was made captain following the departure of Sachin Tendulkar and has led the team to at least the playoffs in every season barring 2016. 

Last season Mumbai got off to a decent start but won just one out of their last six games to finish fifth on the table - two points behind Kolkata Knight Riders. Sharma said the team would have to show a higher degree of consistency to be successful this season.

"Last year was disappointing because we weren't consistent in what we were doing. We played one brilliant game, and then we were off for a little. If you want to win the tournament, you can't be inconsistent. It's a very fast-paced tournament, suddenly you realise you're already into the first half. You play every second or third day, so you have to be at it all the time, not to let it go away," Rohit was quoted as saying by Cricbuzz.

Not looking at what happened in the past, trying to see what's coming up.

"We have to break it (IPL) into parts, we want to start really well. So we're actually focusing only on the first few games. When we go onto the field for that first game, we're not short of any information. We all are looking forward to it, but we have to break it into parts."

Rohit has been sidelined by a thigh injury since New Zealand's tour of India. The Mumbai batsman subsequently suffered a niggle in his knee.

"Feels a long time... It's been more than 5 months (since injury). I am looking forward to it. Waiting to get back onto the field. Missed a lot of games, but that's part of any sportsman's career. Not looking at what happened in the past, trying to see what's coming up. And the future looks exciting. Very excited to start the season on a high. Yesterday was our practice game, and I played full 40 overs without any issues. Everything looks fine," Rohit said.

Rohit has already played in Mumbai Indians under three coaches but said that he was excited to work with the new man at the helm - Mahela Jayawardene.

"His (Jayawardene's) experience, his knowledge about the game is something I am looking forward to... and I am sure, once we get into the tournament, at any given point, he will be able to guide us if we see ourselves in trouble and things like that. His experience is something I am really counting on and his knowledge about the game," Rohit concluded.