Best innings of Kieron Pollard in IPL
A veteran in IPL, Kieron Pollard has been a vital cog in Mumbai Indian’s squad for many years. The West Indies all-rounder made his debut for the franchise in 2010 and has been a mainstay ever since.
There is no denying that the Pollard’s performances in IPL have been nothing but exemplary. Be it batting, bowling or fielding, Pollard has delivered in each aspect of the game for Mumbai Indians in the big-ticket league.
5 Best Innings of Kieron Pollard in IPL
While his bowling, over the years, has taken a beating, he has turned up with match-winning performances with the bat for them on numerous occasions.
On that note, here’s a look at Best Batting Performance of Kieron Pollard in IPL:
5. 50 off 24 balls against Kings Eleven Punjab in 2017
In pursuit of a massive 230-run total, Mumbai Indians had lost all four top-order batsmen for just 121 in 13 overs. With more than 100 runs in needed in just seven overs, if there was one man from Mumbai’s line up who could pull the chase, it was Kieron Pollard.
What followed was an act of destruction from Pollard and Hardik Pandya. The duo lit the stadium with a flurry of boundaries, putting on 55 runs for the fifth-wicket partnership before Hardik getting out in the 17th over. Pollard, however, kept ripping apart the bowlers till the very last ball of the innings.
The West Indies all-rounder had almost took his team home but fell short of just 7 runs in the end. He scored 50 runs off just 24 balls, a knock which had only one four and five sixes. Nevertheless, it was an inning to savour and sits at the fifth position in our list of Best Batting Performance of Kieron Pollard in IPL.
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4. 63 off 35 balls against Delhi Daredevils in 2017
Very rarest of occasions you see Kieron Pollard being sent at number three in the batting order. With 79 on the board at 8.4 overs, the stage was set for the West Indies to unleash himself. He took no time and struck two sixes to Amit Mishra. It was followed by another two sixes in the latter’s next over.
One of the most composed yet destructive innings you will see from him, Pollard struck 63 runs off 35 balls, including 5 fours and 4 sixes.
His knock against Delhi Capitals in 2017 edition of the IPL sits at fourth position in our list of Best Batting Performance of Kieron Pollard in IPL.
L Simmons too played a great 66-run knock as both powered MI to a massive 212 runs in the first innings. Delhi Daredevils succumbed to the pressure of required run-rate and folded for just 66 in the second innings, handing MI a massive 146-run victory in the end.
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3. 66 off 27balls against SRH in 2013
Regarded as one of the best knocks played in the history of IPL, Kieron Pollard’s epic knock against SRH in 2013 is one to remember. A master of chasing down totals, Keiron Pollard yet again found himself in the middle when the team was in trouble.
Batting first, Sunrisers Hyderabad compiled a formidable 178-run total in the first innings. Mumbai, in reply, needed 64 runs in the last 4 overs and what followed was sheer belligerence from the Keiron Pollard. The 17th over went for 29 runs and hit three sixes to Amit Mishra in the 18th over. With just 12 needed in last two overs, it was only a matter of time for Mumbai to clinch the game.
Mumbai, eventually, won the game with 3 balls remaining in the end. Kieron Pollard scored 66 runs off just 27 balls, a knock which was laced with just 2 fours and 8 sixes.
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2. 70 off 47 balls against RCB in 2017
Kieron Pollard has often won matches single-handedly for MI and his 70-run knock against RCB in 2017 is a perfect example of that.
Batting first, RCB put on 142 runs in their allotted 20 overs, thanks to a stellar 62-run knock by Virat Kohli. Mitchell McClenaghan took a couple of wickets, while Hardik Pandya and Krunal Pandya picked one wicket apiece.
Mumbai Indians, in reply, were off to the worst possible start with Rohit Sharma and Co. reeling at 33 for 5 after 8 overs.
Kieron Pollard, who came in at number six had a huge task in hand. He then joined hands with Krunal Pandya, both of whom put together 93-run for the sixth wicket partnership.
Kieron Pollard smacked five sixes and three fours in his match-winning knock of 70 runs off 47 balls. His knock helped his team chase down the total with 7 balls remaining.
Without a doubt, Pollard’s knock should sit in the list of Best innings of Kieron Pollard.
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1. 60 against CSK in 2013 IPL Final
No point arguing! This has to be Pollard’s finest innings in the history of IPL. Coming in to bat when the team was in deep trouble, Kieron Pollard had the opportunity to become the hero for his team on the big day.
At 54 for 4 after 9.3 overs, Mumbai Indians had a lot to do in the next 10 overs of the innings to set a competitive total on the board against a formidable batting unit of Chennai Super Kings. Mixing caution with aggression, Pollard paced his innings perfectly and made sure he would be there till the very last ball of the innings.
He hit two magnificent sixes on the last two balls of the last over, guiding his team to a total of 148 in 20 overs. Pollard scored 60 runs off just 32 balls, a knock which was laced with 7 fours and 3 sixes.
Mumbai’s attack rose to the occasion, exhibiting a great performance with the ball. Lasith Malinga and Mitchell Johnson picked two wickets apiece as MI restricted Chennai Super Kings to 125. As a result, they won the final by 23 runs.
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