Keiorn Pollard

Mumbai Indians outclass KKR and win by 5 runs

Keiorn Pollard
Keiorn Pollard

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Pepsi Indian Premier League, 51st match: Mumbai Indians v Kolkata Knight Riders at Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai, May 14, 2015

Mumbai Indians 171/4 (20/20 ov) KA Pollard 33 off 38 1 four and 1 six, HH pandya 61 off 31, 8 fours and 2 sixes, Shakib Al Hasan 22-2,   M Morkel 27-1

Kolkata Knight Riders 166/7 (20/20 ov) Gautham Gambir 38 off 29, 5 fours, 5 fours, YK Pathan 52 off 37,  5 fours and  2 sixes, KA Pollard 6-1, J Suchith 23-1

Mumbai Indians won by 5 runs

Excellent batting from Hardik Pandya 61 off 31 balls with 8 fours, 2 sixes, and Kiern Pollard 33 off 38 with 1 four and 1 six helped Mumbai Indians to post  171/4.

KKR needed 12 to get from the last over and with Yusuf Pathan 52 off 37, 5 fours and 2 sixes, still batting, you would have put your money on KKR, but Pollard produced an excellent over under pressure. His innings was controlled and far slower than anything he’s played before, but it kept Mumbai’s innings together and provided excellent support to Hardik Pandya at the end. And then, without having bowled a ball before, he stepped up to send down that over. Chawla ends up with 1 off 7 balls.

“It was a very nerve-racking game. We all know it went to the last over but we held our nerves, and it was a wonderful game for the spectators. When we were batting, the ball was stopping, odd ball was gripping and turning, so we didn’t know exactly what the par score was. Normally it’s a 180 wicket, but this was a different wicket, a little slow. During the strategic time-out [we decided Pollard would bowl the last over]. Polly has been in that situation before. It was a gamble, but looking at his body language, his confidence, I knew I could throw him the ball and he would do the job.” victorious Mumbai Indian Captain Rohit Sharma.

With this win Mumbai Indians move fourth with one game to play, 14 points from 13 matches, 7 wins 6 losses.

Alex Hales has been named as the replacement for the injured Corey Anderson for the remainder of the Mumbai Indians’ IPL campaign. The England batsman will play in India following his omission from the squad for the first Test against New Zealand, which begins on May 21. Hales will be available for selection for the Indians’ last league game against Sunrisers Hyderabad on May 17, subject to the completion of contractual paperwork formalities.