The moment is here. Three weeks, 19 matches, and it’s all down to this. One giant trophy. One winner. And as we ready up for the mega clash, our skipper, Nicholas Pooran, was at the pre-match press-conference. Here are some excerpts .. 

On starting slowly in the league stage

It’s been a challenging one for us. We had to put our pieces together. At the start of the tournament we spoke about how we wanted to play. It took some time for us. Our backs were against the wall. The last 3-4 games were must win games for us. Even losing our captain, all of us had to take responsibility. Everyone raised their hand and did it for the team. All I instilled in the guys was teamwork. We are here in the final because of teamwork. Instilling that confidence in the local players, asking them to just go and express themselves. It has been a learning curve. As a group we are really happy to be in the final. 

On the local USA players

They play international cricket as well. When they play for the USA, they express themselves and they are really good. For us, we felt like as the tournament went along, we international players understood that it wasn’t about skill or talent, it was about confidence. It is about making them believe that they belong. For us, it is about understanding these players and building these players up. More tournaments like these would help. Time, games, experience is everything. 

On standing in for the injured Kieron Pollard

I didn’t face any challenge. We had guys like Trent Boult, Rashid Khan, David Wiese, they are really experienced. On the cricket field it is really easy. What helped was that everyone put their egos aside. I can’t do it alone. I needed to rely on their experience. I needed to trust them. The communication was good in the last couple of games. I am a wicket-keeper as well, I cannot have conversations with the bowler every single ball. That’s when I can trust Trent or David to have that conversation with our bowlers. It has been easy for me. This is what team sport is all about, share experience, keep the ego aside and be happy for each other’s success. 

Troubles in finding the opening pair 

It was a tough call. We have been looking for that opening pair. It has been challenging for us. We have backed our local players. Shayan has stood out for us. Slade has just got the opportunity last game. We as a franchise play tactically. We go a lot on match-ups as well. We haven’t decided on tomorrow. A lot of our players played the situation of the game and that was commendable. Tim David, myself, even Brevis, they way he played in the last game was tremendous. Brevis is just 20, and he is someone all of these guys can look at. He studies the game. He wants to get better. This is where the younger local players can see where they can improve. They can understand what consistency is. Going into tomorrow’s game, everyone has to take responsibility. Just need to do what is right for the team. 

On the preparation for the final

In the last four games, we prepared ourselves that we were playing the finals. Even in the game against Seattle, we had a chance to win the game. We felt those dropped chances cost us the game. We competed till the last over. We knew we had two difficult games to play in the semi-finals. We have been prepared for this final a week ago. But having said that, it comes to nothing. Tomorrow is a big game and we as a group are ready. 

On each of the last three games being must-wins

Yes it can help the team to build it. But it can be difficult on the bodies. We saw Adil going out last game because of a niggle. Rest is very important. We saw Rabada going out earlier, Pollard as well. We have faced injuries in our team. But our minds are ready and it can take care of everything. 

On the local crowd support for MI NY

It’s a big help. Any support we get is good support. In the last week we needed every support we could get. We know there is a lot of Indian support for Mumbai Indians. It helped us so much. Hopefully they can come out and do it tomorrow.  I can speak from a West Indian point of view, we play this game to entertain and we appreciate fan support. 

The role and influence of Pollard after being injured

I think his role became bigger after he got injured. The game where we scored 141, we won the game and we had a conversation about what went wrong. He is the bowling coach of MI and he came out here and explained to everyone, starting with myself. I played a ridiculous shot right outside the powerplay. And then Tim coming and getting out one ball before the break. These are things that can lose and win you games. He has played over 600 games. I don’t think there is a more experienced player than him. Just to see him really passionate and teach every single person is great. There are people playing Test cricket in the team, a lot of T20 cricket. That’s his job, seeing other people achieve their potential. He is passionate about Mumbai Indians as well. He has been with them for 10-15 years. They really appreciate him and what he is doing for us is really important. That’s how we are going to get better. 

On Dewald Brevis lighting up the tournament

I think he is going to be the next son of Mumbai Indians. Nice to see him part of the team in the IPL and of MI Cape Town. Unfortunately he was left out of the team because of team selection. He was working really hard. He had a conversation with MJ (Mahela Jayawardene) about him walking across and getting LBW walking across the stumps. We could see it in the dressing room that he really wanted to play. He really wanted to perform. Getting that opportunity in the game before, batting with responsibility, we couldn’t have asked for anything better especially with Polly going out. We’ll see how good he is in the next couple of years. 

Positives for him on and off the field 

On the field, the influence of the senior players onto the junior players. For example, with Nosthush, whenever we have given him the ball, he has taken responsibility. Even with Tim David bowling the last over in the last game, we knew it was a big match-up with David Miller. But he being the senior player, said he would take the responsibility. For me, that is big. All the guys can see it is all about the team. At the end of the day, it is about winning games and winning championships. Off the field, the opportunity to bring my family here, spend time, roam around America, get the know the local guys, see the culture, eat some Texas barbeque. 

On helping spread cricket in America 

There are a lot of Indians in America. They know their cricket and they have a lot of friends too. So I am confident that a lot of Americans are going to understand cricket in no time. The facilities have been brilliant as well, especially here in Dallas. Really enjoyed it. The pitches have something for the bowlers and the batsmen, that has brought about good cricket games so far. The atmosphere is like South Africa. The ground is dug under and everybody in the crowd is over you. You just enjoy that vibe. Sometimes it feels like the IPL too. The tournament has definitely surprised us. We have really enjoyed it so far. 

Parting thoughts on wanting to win MLC 2023 

It's very special. The Mumbai Indians owners really want this trophy in their case. Looking forward to getting my hands on it tomorrow.