WWE’s Kofi, Big E lend perspective to IPL experience
But in the last six games he has collected his thoughts, tightened his game and has looked like a man on a mission. That determination has seen him score three half-centuries with the last knock of 67 in the defeat against Sunrisers Hyderabad his best.
He was the only Mumbai batsmen to deliver on a tricky wicket at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad while the others fell flat.
Rohit Sharma’s grand run in 2013 and 2015 came as an opener. While there have been calls for Rohit to open the innings for Mumbai as he does so for India in limited-overs cricket, the Mumbai Indians team management has slotted him at No 4 to lend balance to the middle-order, which is a bit thin on experience and consistency.
Besides making sure that Mumbai go all the way, Rohit Sharma will also be chasing a third landmark in this edition of the IPL -becoming the only player after Suresh Raina to score 300-plus runs in all editions of the IPL.
Currently, Rohit has scored 250 runs in 12 matches this season, and the way he is going at the moment, he looks on course to cross the 300-run mark, especially with Mumbai confirmed of a playoff berth.
BIG E AND KOFI KINGSTON WERE PART OF THE GUEST PANEL DURING THE PRESHOW FOR THE GUJARAT LIONS VS DELHI DAREDEVILS MATCH IN KANPUR.
The world of cricket and professional wrestling may not have much in common, but they collided on Wednesday when the former World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) tagteam champions ‘The New Day’ appeared in an episode of the Indian Premier League (IPL) analysis show Extraaa Innings T20. The duo of Big E and Kofi Kingston is in India on a promotional tour and were part of the guest panel during the pre-show for the Gujarat Lions versus Delhi Daredevils match in Kanpur.
Big E told HT, “We are really excited to be part of such a huge phenomenon like the IPL. Cricket is a very big deal in this country and we are very happy to be part of that fanfare.
“My father is from Jamaica, and as a young man he played a lot of cricket. I have heard a lot of stories about the game and it will be great to experience the sport in India,” he added.
This was the first time any WWE superstar was associated with IPL, but Kofi Kingston and Big E have certainly done their homework before coming to India.
“I know IPL is a huge tournament and that Mumbai Indians are performing really well right now. So, I have my bases covered,” Big E said when asked about his cricket knowledge.
‘The New Day’ has won WWE tag-team titles twice and also holds the record for the longest ever WWE Tag-Team Championship run, which clocks in at 483 days. They are also part of the superstars who visited India last year to take part in the live event held in New Delhi.
On the fan support in India, Kofi said, “The crowd experience last year was absolutely phenomenal. The response was brilliant and it was something to cherish for all of us.”