As of the IPL 2025 playoffs on their way, Mumbai Indians (MI)  will be playing a crucial eliminator match in round 1 of the playoffs against the Gujarat Titans (GT) on 30 May 2025, Friday, at 7.30 PM IST. This is a crucial game, and pressure will be there. In an interview for Star Sports India, star Indian opener and MI's former captain, Rohit Sharma, elaborated on his mental preparations for this very important must-win match. The following highlights give us an insight into the mindset of a leading figure in cricket.

Rohit commented it was important to maintain a calm and focused approach, regardless of the stakes of the match. "Every game is important, but playoff games have something more to them," he said. "I try to keep it simple. I look at my recent performances, check for improvements, and look for strengths. It is simply a matter of being calm and trusting the process." This shows how Rohit handles pressure, which has been a hallmark of his leadership profile in cricket.

As part of his preparation for match day, Rohit described how he spends time reviewing his game. He stated that he watches the highlights of each match so he can review his dismissals and the deliveries he struggled against. "I always try to watch the highlights of every match," he said. "I can then see where I went wrong. Is it a delivery type, a bowler's plan, or my own mistake? I then noted where things went wrong and worked on them so I didn't repeat the same mistakes. It is about learning." Watching everything back in greater detail helps to improve his technique and execution.

Star Indian opener @ImRo45 opens up on how he analyzes his game ahead of the do-or-die #IPLPlayoffs clash vs #GT.

Will the #Hitman guide @mipaltan to victory? 💥🏏

Eliminator 👉 #GTvMI | 30 MAY, FRI, 6 PM on Star Sports Network & JioHotstar! pic.twitter.com/2vsQNQkcMy

— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) May 30, 2025

Also read: RCB creates another record in IPL 2025 with unprecedented batting feat

Today's Match: GT vs MI

This match against GT carries greater emphasis. Both teams have been battling all season, where they both finished No. 3 and 4 and will be fighting in a knockout situation ahead of the final. Therefore, Rohit's invaluable experience and ability to direct or learn and subsequently adapt according to the exigencies of the match situation will be of great value to MI. Rohit's focus on building partnerships and rotating the strike at MI will be vital for MI meeting the challenge at the top of the order.

While fans and experts wait for the encounter with bated breath, Rohit's energetic preparation in his mind is a testament of strength and mental toughness. The eliminator match against GT is as much about grit as it is about talent - and Rohit Sharma's mindset may be the key that tips the scale in this pressure cooker.