Mumbai, March 28 Mumbai Indians head coach Mahela Jayawardene believes there is only one way to break the team's 13-year "curse" of losing on the opening day of the IPL: to play a good game of cricket.
Speaking on Saturday, Jayawardene insisted that despite failing to win a season opener since 2012, the team's preparation remains focused on execution.
MI, the perennial slow-starters, last won their opening match in the IPL in April 2012, when they beat Chennai Super Kings by eight wickets.
As they gear up to take on three-time winners Kolkata Knight Riders here on Sunday, the very first question Jayawardene asked was whether MI would break that jinx this time around.
"It's the elephant in the room, but there's no way for us to prepare differently," Jayawardene told reporters at the Wankhede Stadium ahead of MI's training session.
"If you look at the season I was involved in, we had close matches, we lost. I think I have spoken to the boys about the intensity being there for that first game. I think that's all we can control."
"That's what I've asked from the guys to go out and play a good game of cricket at that high intensity. Other than that, I don't see how else we could prepare because we pretty much prepare for each and every game the same way. Hopefully, I can break that curse," the former Sri Lankan captain said.
Nevertheless, Jayawardene was pleased to have a robust squad comprising several current and past captains from the international circuit under one roof.
"We also have another losing captain (New Zealand's Mitchell Santner)," Jayawardene replied when asked how easy it is for MI skipper Hardik Pandya to have India's current and former T20 World Cup winning leaders Suryakumar Yadav and Rohit Sharma along with him.
"It's great to have all this experience; everyone brings that element. Even to have players like Trent (Boult), who has played a fair amount of cricket around the world. Jasprit (Bumrah) with that experience."
"That's a core group that we built over many years (and) that's a benefit we reap from that. The contribution that Ro (Rohit) brings in, what Surya brings in and every other cricketer brings in, it's massive," he said.
Jayawardene relied on Rohit's preparation and experience despite lacking T20 game time in recent months, having not played the format since the last IPL.
"Yeah, I think (that) is true. But there's a transformation in Rohit. We've seen his commitment. He's been training skills as well for a longer period of time — that's what's in his control, what he can do," Jayawardene said.
"I'm pretty satisfied with what I've seen in the practice games and in the nets. The hand speed, the technique, everything and then on top of that, he has his experience as well (of) playing 18 years of IPL."
Jayawardene said the members of India's T20 World Cup winning side were given an extended break from MI duties after an exhaustive campaign.
"It was great to see that intensity, how they went about it. It's a World Cup. It's the best stage in the world, that adrenaline is something that is difficult to match," Jayawardene said.
"Hence, why we gave them an extended period to take a break, (to) spend some time with family and then come back fresh so that they know it's a different start, different setup."
"But they're walking into a setup they are very familiar with. These guys have been with us for many years now so it's a much easier way for them to get into that groove, and it's (also about) conversations that we had with them about getting to that intensity," he added.