Ups and downs - that’s the IPL nature. But MI's nature is to keep moving forward, capitalising on the positives, learning from the shortfalls.

Shreyas Gopal, who has seen it all in the IPL spoke to the media ahead of the Punjab Kings vs Mumbai Indians game on Wednesday (April 17).

For starters, Gopal assured that the team’s confidence has remained intact despite the defeat to Chennai Super Kings in the last game.

“The team atmosphere is great,” he said at the pre-match press conference.

“Unfortunately, we couldn't cross the line on the winning side in the last match. But if you look at it, this tournament is my 10th year in the IPL, and every team goes through ups and downs. When you start hitting a purple patch, you click as a team. We saw a couple of outstanding games where we all came together as a group.

“We must consistently combine batting, bowling, and fielding in one match. And then, we've been playing some excellent cricket. Let's be very honest about that. When it comes together, we'll see more matches like the RCB and the one before that.” he added.

Four defeats in six games - such a situation is nothing new to MI, as we have turned tough starts into something meaningful.

“I don't think that has been spoken about,” Shreyas said.

“We look at it in history: even when I was there, we won two titles, and after I'd gone to another team, they still won a few more titles, so that doesn't change. History says they do not win consistently in the first few matches. Still, when the group comes together, the character is shown, especially in a time like now.”

“This team always has that X-factor, those characters that stand up and want to prove to themselves that they are good enough and we can win this championship. So that's the only reason this franchise has won five titles, and it's no joke. They're equal to CSK, who have won five, and no one has won more than them, so that's the only way I look at it,” the all-rounder confidently said.

Playing against the Punjab Kings in Punjab has always been a treat, especially if you have seen a homegrown talent like Harbhajan Singh dominate the pitch and win Mumbai Indians games. In the current setup, we have two Punjab cricketers - Nehal Wadhera and Naman Dhir. Are they crucial to the team’s plans? Very much said Shreyas Gopal in a straightforward way.

“Naman and Nehal are crucial to us. Because of the 'Impact Player' rule, they can go up and down in the team, and it can be anyone else, including me. Even Surya wasn't part of the fielding setup if you observed the last couple of matches.

“That way, they'll be important, which is why they are putting that kind of preparation in; if you go out and see them, they're first in the nets and always preparing that hard. That way, everyone knows that anytime that opportunity will arrive, so even if I, for example, didn't play four matches, I was fully prepared for all of them.”

“I did the most I could because when you eventually get the chance, you should not be caught saying, "This is so sudden". It shouldn't be that way. So, if you look at them, they are fantastic players.”

Gopal also confidently praised both players, saying that, given their talent, opportunities to break into the playing XI WILL come.

“I bowled to Nehal when we had our selection trials here, and he was an outstanding batsman and batted well. So there is no reason for him not to play, but the situation or the dynamics of the format are such that sometimes you will get that game, and sometimes you won't. Naman has done really well. No matter how many matches he's played, he's done really well,” he said.

Lastly, having known and played with or against Hardik Pandya, Shreyas Gopal told the media how he is in awe of the former, who is confidently facing the unexpected noise thrown at him.

“See, very honestly, I've known Hardik for a decade since my time at Mumbai Indians 10 years ago,” Gopal said on his friendship with the MI skipper.

“Even then, nothing much has changed between us. And if people know him, he's a really tough guy. As much as people say he's a strong guy, don't worry; he is.”

“Over 10 years of experience or 10 years of friendship with him, he's a really tough guy. He's one of the toughest human beings in the world.”