Pollard comes good at crunch

Kieron Pollard has been a key member in the Mumbai Indians (MI) playing XI since 2010. The burly West Indian utility allrounder has been inconsistent at times, but he has got the backing and has performed under pressure to help MI do well. His best seasons have resulted in title wins for MI. He scored 420 in the 2013 season, 419 in the 2015 season and 385 in the last season. The big hitting middle order batsman has sizzled in crunch situations and contributed with the ball and as a fielder as well. His 32-ball knock of 60 against Chennai Super Kings in the IPL 6 final and 47-ball 70 after MI were 7/4 against Royal Challengers Bangalore last year, are among the many instances in which he has played in high pressure situations.

This season he was understandably retained, but he managed to score only 76 runs in first seven games and didn't roll his golden arm to face the axe for the first time. He had to sit out for five games as MI clawed their way back as they have done in the last few seasons after their usual disappointing start to their campaign. But after a loss against Rajasthan Royals here on Sunday dented their qualification chances, Pollard seemed determined to play against Kings XI Punjab on Wednesday.

The 31-year-old had a lengthy practice session on Tuesday night and though he wasn’t middling every delivery initially, he stood there and started to tonk the net bowlers all over Wankhede. He was included in the do-or-die clash against KXIP on Wednesday replacing JP Duminy. And the most capped and travelled 20-20 player who has close to 6000 runs in this format, brought all his experience to the fore.

“Doubt was never there. Thank God for that opportunity. Most importantly, we came out and we lived to fight another day.  It’s never easy in T20 cricket — there are a lot of different things. Thank God for the victory,” Pollard said at the post match presentation.

Rejuvenated after break

Pollard came to the crease in the ninth over after watching Rohit Sharma walk back to the pavilion, leaving MI struggling at 71/4 after squandering a good start from openers Suryakumar Yadav and Evin Lewis.

Unlike the previous games, the Trininadian looked in sublime touch from the first ball but restrained himself initially to do a rebuilding job with Krunal Pandya. Mumbai were 79/4 at the halfway mark, until a forced interruption due to the floodlights blacking out. This 12-minute break seemed to rejuvenate the MI camp as Krunal tonked Marcus Stoinis for two sixes in the 12th over and from there Pollard took over to score a 22-ball fifty and put MI in a position to reach closer to 200 before holing out in the 16th over. Kings XI bowled well in the death courtesy, Andrew Tye and Ravichandran Ashwin but MI managed 186/8 which proved just enough in the end despite a 60-ball 94 from KL Rahul. Jasprit Bumrah’s 3/15 ensured Mumbai defended well this time to sneak a three-run win and stay afloat in the tournament.

“We played a perfect game. Whatever was asked, the boys delivered,”Rohit said after the match. “Pollard has always been a match winner for us. Leaving him out was a tough decision. He was very upset and I was looking for that one opportunity to bring him back. He always stands up in the pressure situations,” he added.

2014 repeat?

MI hope to emulate their feat of 2014, when they went with similar 12 points into their last league game and were asked to chase 190 in 87 balls by RR in order to achieve a superior net run rate to qualify. Corey Anderson was the Mumbai hero in that game with his unbeaten 95 in 44 balls. MI have a superior run rate this time and are favourites to qualify if they can beat Delhi Daredevils in their last league game. However, they can at best finish in third place and will have to play Eliminator in Kolkata on May 23. The Qualifier 1 at Wankhede will most likely see Sunrisers Hyderabad take on Chennai Super Kings on May 22.