Kieron Pollard is a cricketer who is synonymous with brute power, aggressiveness and buccaneering batting abilities. He has been an indispensable part of the Mumbai Indians (MI) franchise and ever since his inclusion in 2010, the hard-hitting West Indian all-rounder has weaved magic for the team. In precarious situations, Kieron Pollard has always bailed them out of it and has managed to script unforgettable and miraculous wins from dire stages. Pollard’s chief claim to fame is his swashbuckling batting abilities and alongside them, he can also chip in with some decisive and canny bowling. Kieron Pollard has certainly carved his own niche in this lucrative and cash-rich Indian Premier League (IPL) and can undoubtedly be labelled as a “legend” of this league. Here, we dive deep into 3 powerful knocks from the blazing blade of Pollard, that steered MI to unbelievable victories:
- Record-breaking knock of 87*(34) in IPL 2021
Arguably the best innings of IPL 2021, Kieron Pollard smashed an unbeaten buccaneering knock of 87 runs for MI in this game against the Chennai Super Kings (CSK). Batting first, CSK had piled up a mammoth total of 218/4. Notably, Pollard had taken 2 wickets in the first innings. The openers of MI had given a good start to them but the departure of both the openers and Suryakumar Yadav in quick succession, put MI in some deep trouble. Then came Kieron Pollard and with his charisma and persona, stitched a crucial partnership with Krunal Pandya and made sure, shivers go down the spines of the CSK bowlers after that game. Pollard struck 8 sixes and 6 fours and powered MI to a 4-wicket victory.
- Kieron Pollard’s blistering knock of 70 (47) in IPL 2017
An epitome of aggression, Kieron Pollard pulled off yet another miraculous chase in this game against the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) franchise. RCB were batting first and they managed to amass 142 runs for the loss of 5 wickets. On a slow Chinnaswamy track, MI were in a little mix as they required 110 runs in 12 overs, after a slow and calculated start from their top-order. Pollard came in after the departure of Nitish Rana and plundered 70 runs in just 47 balls. He took the bowlers to the cleaners in the small Bangalore stadium and deservedly bagged the man of the match award. His innings was peppered with 3 fours and 5 sixes.
- The enigmatic 2013 final when Pollard scored 60(32)
MI had won their first of five titles in 2013. Under the astute leadership of Rohit Sharma, MI had won the final against arch-rivals CSK and Kieron pollard was the standout player yet again. Big-occasion, big player alert! Mumbai were reeling at 58/4 at a stage in the first innings. It all felt like it was CSK’s game and MI had messed it up in this final. But Kieron Pollard had some other plans. He blew away CSK bowlers with a heroic knock of 60 in just 32 balls. His quickfire knock was laced with 3 sixes and 7 fours. Responding to the first innings score of 148, CSK were bundled out for 125 runs and gifted the title to MI.
