IPL 2021: Chennai Super Kings run into the Kieron Pollard nightmare yet again

Kieron Pollard has been the decisive factor in Mumbai Indians' domination of Chennai Super Kings in the last eight years in the IPL.

Kieron Pollard blasted 87 off 34 balls as Mumbai Indians chased down 219 in the clash against Chennai Super Kings. (Image credit: IPL Twitter)
By Siddharth vishwanathan | May 2, 2021 | 4 Min Read follow icon Follow Us

Mumbai Indians continued to pile on the hurt against Chennai Super Kings as they chased down 219 in the IPL 2021 clash in Delhi. This is the second-highest successful chase in the IPL and the first time Mumbai Indians had chased down a total in excess of 200. One man was yet again responsible for hurting Chennai Super Kings in a big way. In fact, this player has been at the forefront of causing immense pain to Chennai Super Kings since 2013. It has been his knocks that have ensured Mumbai Indians now have a superior head-to-head and title count in comparison to Chennai Super Kings.

Kieron Pollard has made it a habit of hurting Chennai Super Kings ever since 2013. In fact, it has been Pollard’s blitzes at the end that have turned the fortunes of Mumbai Indians against Chennai Super Kings for the last eight years. It began in Kolkata in 2013 and reached the peak in Delhi in 2021. The knock in Delhi represented the calculated nature of how Kieron Pollard can get the big hits going when the situation demands.

Mumbai Indians were almost down and out when Kieron Pollard came into bat. With 125 runs needed off eight overs, it needed a monumental effort. But, Pollard is known for such efforts. In Delhi, he hit a masterclass that shell-shocked both Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings fans.

Kieron Pollard lays the base for carnage

Pollard blasted three sixes in one over bowled by Ravindra Jadeja as he utilized the small boundary dimensions at the Arun Jaitley stadium to the hilt. Lungi Ngidi missed his length by bowling either too short or too full. Pollard hammered two more sixes as 16 runs came in the 14th over. The 15th over of the match saw the game truly change. Pollard hit a 103-meter six of Shardul Thakur and he followed it up with three boundaries as 23 runs came in the over.

Ngidi continued to suffer as he was smashed for a four and a six by Pollard. In four overs, Mumbai Indians had hit 75 runs. Pollard notched up a fifty off just 17 balls which was the fastest in IPL 2021. Chennai Super Kings did not help their cause as Faf du Plessis dropped Pollard on 68 after he hit Thakur for another four and six.

The drop proved to be costly with Hardik Pandya hitting two sixes but Pollard took the game till the last over. In an own way, MS Dhoni got a taste of his own medicine. For years, Dhoni had taken the game deep and calculated the plan of assault for greater gains. In Delhi, Pollard was doing the same. With 16 needed off one over, Pollard smashed two fours and a six. The West Indies batsman calmly ran the couple to seal a memorable win for Mumbai Indians.

Pollard and a history of hurt

The 87 off 34 balls is a continuing saga of Pollard hurting Chennai Super Kings every single time. In the IPL 2013 final at Kolkata, it was Pollard who ensured Mumbai Indians had a safe platform. His 60 off 32 balls ensured Mumbai Indians had something to defend. In the end, it was enough for Rohit Sharma’s side to win their first IPL. At the same venue in IPL 2015, Pollard and Ambati Rayudu shared a 71-run partnership off 40 balls to boost Mumbai Indians past 200 and their second IPL title.

Pollard continued to hurt Chennai Super Kings and in 2019 edition, they would once again bear the brunt. The right-hander hammered 41 off 25 balls and stayed unbeaten to help Mumbai Indians to 149/8. In a splendid bowling display, Mumbai Indians won the title for the fourth time by one run.

At Delhi, one could argue that Pollard had already made an impact before he batted. In a game where bowlers were carted to all sides of the ground, Pollard ended with figures of 2/12. Had it not been for Pollard’s wickets, Chennai Super Kings would have probably reached 230-240.

Calculated assault by kieron Pollard

The exhibition of hitting showed that Pollard was aware of the match situation. He was aware of the ground dimensions and the conditions. This was something that he stressed upon in the post-match presentation.

“They had four overs of spin to bowl on a small ground, I saw if I could hit a couple of sixes and then try to take it from there. Only got two overs against spin and I had to maximize that over against Jadeja. If we stay in for a period of time, a couple of sixes were always going to keep us in the game,” Pollard said.

For Chennai Super Kings, this knock by Pollard will open up plenty of mental scars. Dhoni’s team now has a serious bogey in the form of Mumbai Indians. Pollard is the main factor.





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