Highlights, MI vs CSK, IPL 2021, Match 27: Kieron Pollard's valiant innings powers Mumbai to 4-wicket win

Kieron Pollard is Player of the Match

Pollard: Thanks to the almighty for watching over me. It is a small ground and we just fell it was the time for a seamer to come and bowl. It was fantastic to get the wickets. I think what mattered was four overs of spin. I had to maximise the over against Jadeja. In a ground like this, couple of sixes were always going to keep us in the game. You have try to maximise that part of the field on the off side. I can’t say I am 360 player now but I am trying to maximise on all angles. We have done this time and again. Two wins here gives us a good bit of momentum.

Mumbai Indians captain Rohit Sharma: I think this was probably one of the best T20 games I’ve ever been a part of. I’ve never seen a chase like that before. One incredible innings from Kieron Pollard, I’m happy with the effort everyone put in. It was always going to be tough for the bowlers, with the good pitch and small boundaries. These are games in which bowlers will be hit for runs, but you have to keep backing the core players.

We had a brief chat during the interval, we told ourselves it’s a good pitch. We wanted to go out and express ourselves, and take the game to the end. That partnership between Krunal and Kieron was huge for us. We back Krunal, we know he’s a good batsman and we wanted to give him an opportunity to go out there and do his thing. I thought he could do well and set it up perfectly for Kieron and Hardik.

Mumbai Indians win. Pollard hits it to long on and runs two and takes his side home.

What a spectacular win for MI. What a night. Possibly the best game of the season so far. Pollard has single-handedly taken his side over the finish mark. He had luck on his side but he made sure he took full advantage of it and batted till the last ball. MI have stolen this victory from the hands of CSK. Precious two points collected by the Men in Blue. They are defending champions for a reason.

After 19 overs,Mumbai Indians 203/6 ( Kieron Pollard 71 , )

The momentum keeps shifting in this match. CSK vs MI living up to the reputation as this goes to the last over. Hardik smashed two sixes off first two balls before getting out. Neesham out for a duck. MI need 16 off 6 balls. Ball-by-ball commentary of the last over coming up.

After 18 overs,Mumbai Indians 188/4 ( Kieron Pollard 70 , Hardik Pandya 2)

Thakur continues, his issues with wide continues. Rayudu forces Dhoni to take the review for caught behind and wastes a review. Pollard next clears rope and then smashes a boundary. Unlucky Thakur as Faf then drops Pollard at long on. Faf, of all people, drops a catch. Luck favours the brave and so it does here. Pollard knows no fear at this moment. 31 off 12 needed.

After 17 overs,Mumbai Indians 171/4 ( Kieron Pollard 56 , Hardik Pandya 1)

Sam Curran, you little beauty. Quality at display. He is bowling quick and is hitting the toes of the batsmen, aiming the bottom of the off stump. Some words exchanged between him and Pollard, who even in this mood, could not do much against the Englishman. Just two off the over. Wow. MI need 48 off 18 balls.

After 16 overs,Mumbai Indians 169/3 ( Krunal Pandya 32 , Kieron Pollard 55)

Ngidi continues. MI now racing towards the target. Pollard has shifted the momentum to his side. Krunal with a couple of mishits that travelled for a six and four respectively. 16 off the over. MI need 50 off 24 balls.

After 15 overs,Mumbai Indians 153/3 ( Krunal Pandya 17 , Kieron Pollard 54)

Alright Pollard has taken the charge here. It is as if he wants to win this game for MI on his own. Has smashed a fifty off jusy 17 balls and is still going strong. Equation does not matter till he is there in the middle. Thakur taken to the cleaners in the over. 23 off it. Mi need 66 off 30.

After 14 overs,Mumbai Indians 130/3 ( Krunal Pandya 16 , Kieron Pollard 35)

Ngidi back on. Pollard in beast mode. Two more sixes in the over. Ngidi started the over well, was mixing up the pace nicely, but Pollard took the challenge and smashed back to back sixes. 16 off the over. Time out called.

After 13 overs,Mumbai Indians 114/3 ( Krunal Pandya 14 , Kieron Pollard 21)

This is brilliant from Dhoni. He has fielders placed at the right position but Pollard decides to go big and hits three maximums in the over, records the highest six hit in the match, 97 meter one. MI collect 20 off the over.

After 12 overs,Mumbai Indians 94/3 ( Krunal Pandya 13 , Kieron Pollard 2)

Thakur back on and Krunal welcomes him with a six off the first ball of the over. Thakur does well to bowl two back to back dots. 10 off the over. Mumbai Indians need 125 runs in 48 balls.

After 11 overs,Mumbai Indians 84/3 ( Krunal Pandya 4 , Kieron Pollard 1)

Jadeja continues. CSK spinners have slowed things down in the middle. Another good over. Just three off it. Just 4 off the last 12 balls. MI need to move on. They have only 54 balls left.