Picture : Twitter / IPL
Due for big knock after series of poor scores , Big hitting- Kieron Pollard singlehandedly powered Mumbai Indians to an astonishing four-wicket victory over Chennai Super Kings, belting the ongoing IPL’s fastest half-century in a high-octane match, in Delhi, Arun Jaitley Stadium
Set an imposing target of 219 for victory, the West Indian raced to his fifty off only 17 balls and remained unbeaten on 87 off 34 deliveries, as he triumphantly walked back to his jubilant teammates at the end of the game.
Mumbai needed 16 runs in the final over and Pollard smashed two fours and a six before running two off the last balls to seal the game for the defending champions.
Earlier, Chennai Super Kings, rode on an unbeaten 72 off 27 balls from Ambati Rayudu to post 218 for 4, but it was overshadowed by Pollard’s blitzkrieg, as he smashed eight sixes and six fours to build on a strong 71-run opening stand.
In form at number 3 Moeen Ali (58) and Faf du Plessis (50), too, struck blistering half-centuries after being asked to bat first. CSK lost opener Ruturaj Gaikwad (4) early but South African du Plessis and England’s Moeen plundered runs at will during their 108-run second-wicket partnership.
Rayudu, who notched his fifty in just 20 balls, went hammer and tongs with seven sixes and four fours during his stay in the middle.
This was the second highest run-chase in IPL history. Mumbai were at one stage at 81 for 3, but Pollard turned the tables with his power-hitting. Pollard smashed three towering sixes off Ravindra Jadeja in the 13th over, which fetched Mumbai 20 runs. Next, he smashed two successive sixes off Lungi Ngidi and then took on Shardul Thakur in the 15th over, as Mumbai got 23.
