Mumbai's emphatic 81-run win hero Akash Madhwal impresses Rohit Sharma 

Mumbai Indians skipper Rohit Sharma had no doubt about unheralded Akash Madhwal's talent during his two years in the set-up and hence he was confident that the Uttarakhand player would do the job for the team if he persisted.

Madhwal, an engineer from Uttarakhand, had figures of 5 for 5 in 3.3 overs as Mumbai Indians inched one step closer to the summit clash with an 81-run victory over Lucknow Super Giants in the IPL Eliminator on Wednesday.

"He was the part of the team last year as a support bowler, and once Jofra was gone and I knew he had skills and the character to do the job for us," said an impressed Rohit Sharma after his team qualified for Qualifier 2.

As a successful IPL captain, Rohit knows the art of man management better than most of his contemporaries.

"Over the years, we have seen many guys coming in from Mumbai Indians and playing for India. It is important to make them (youngsters) feel special and make them feel part of the team, my job is to just make them comfortable in the middle," the India captain said.

'They (youngsters like Madhwal) are very clear in their roles about what they need to do for the team and that's what you want', he said.

A humble Akash Madhwal said that he has a tendency to learn things quickly because of his background as an engineer. Madhwal, who will turn 30 this November, didn't play competitive leather ball cricket till the age of 23 as he was focussing on getting his BE degree. He was a tennis ball cricketer and by the time he turned 24, Uttarakhand got BCCI affiliation and he entered the competitive cricket scenario.

So where have you been? he was asked.

"I was just practising, and waiting for this opportunity. I did my engineering and played tennis-ball cricket since it was my passion. Engineers have a tendency to learn quickly," he said with a sheepish grin.

In the last league game, he yorked Glenn Phillips and Heinrich Klaasen and on Wednesday, he bowled an unplayable delivery to Nicholas Pooran.

"I just practice, and that is what we execute. I'm proud of myself, but I'll try to be better." He has been Jasprit Bunrah's replacement for the season but he was embarrassed when asked about filling India pace spearhead's shoes.

"Bumrah bhai has his own place, and I'm just trying to play my role. Nicholas Pooran was the best wicket. Everyone at home believes I'm working hard