Rohit Sharma, Steve Smith play down head-to-head results on eve of IPL final

Rohit Sharma-led Mumbai Indians will take on Steve Smith’s Rising Pune Supergiant in IPL 2017 final on Sunday. RPS have beaten MI in the previous three meetings, including Qualifier 1, and they can take confidence from their admirable record.

Steve Smith and Rohit Sharma refused to read too much into their their head-to-head record, where the enviable mingles with the undesirable, on the eve of the title clash of Indian Premier League’s tenth edition. (IPL 2017 FULL COVERAGE)

Rohit Sharma-led Mumbai Indians, two-time champions, will take on Rising Pune Supergiant in IPL 2017 final at Uppal on Sunday. (BCCI)

Smith’s Rising Pune Supergiant have beaten Mumbai Indians, led by Sharma, in the previous three meetings, including Qualifier 1, and they can take confidence from their admirable record.

(Read | IPL 2017 final: Mumbai Indians eye 3rd title, Rising Pune Supergiant their 1st)

The Australian captain, though, was cautions in his comments at the pre-match press conference.

“Obviously, we can take a little bit of confidence from that. In the end, finals cricket is finals cricket and it comes down to that game and who plays best on that day,” Smith said.

(Read | IPL 2017: Rising Pune Supergiant – strengths and weaknesses – ahead of final)

Mumbai Indians would look to put the past behind and put their best foot forward in the summit showdown, Sharma assured.

“Like Mahela said, we have not had great history against Pune. They have been playing some really good cricket throughout the tournament. It’s just that we were not good on those days. That’s probably the reasons we lost the game,” Mumbai’s inspirational captain Sharma said.

(Read | Mumbai Indians vs Rising Pune Supergiant: Road to IPL 2017 final)

Sri Lankan batting great Mahela Jayawardene is Mumbai Indians’ coach.

The India batsman added, “ We got to make sure that we play good cricket and focus on what we need to do as a team.

“If all those things have been looked after, results will take care of itself. You need to concentrate on the process rather than thinking too far ahead.”

Alongside the captains, coaches Jayawardene and Stephen Fleming were also present.

The IPL T20 trophy was also displayed on the occasion.