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Cometh the hour, cometh the Big Man - Kieron Pollard

By Mumbai Indians

Chasing impossible targets, bagging crucial wickets and taking catches like he’s Superman - when he comes to the party, there is no stopping him. He is the Big Man, the show stopper, the captain’s go-to man. No points for guessing who we’re talking about, it’s Kieron Pollard.

The last time we witnessed the Men in Blue and Gold play, we saw Pollard put up a big show, helping MI chase down 134 runs in the last 10 overs to take the team home. His 87* (34), built on his 17-ball fifty, the joint-fastest ever by an MI player, was a Pollard masterclass in full display, much to the Paltan’s thrill and excitement.

Overall, MI scored 219 and successfully scripted their highest run-chase ever, all riding on Pollard’s innings.

While we got to witness this special knock this year, this isn’t the first time Pollard has played an iconic, match-saving innings. On his 34th birthday, let us revisit three more such knocks of his.

A scintillating 83 (31) vs KXIP (now Punjab Kings), 2019

A 63-run worth Gayle-storm and an unbeaten century from KL Rahul did not suffice for KXIP. Having to defend 133 runs in the last 10 overs (sounding familiar already?) wasn’t enough for them too. What they didn’t have was Kieron Pollard, MI’s stand-in captain, who decided that losing was not an option on that day.

Chasing down 198, the Big Man turned the tide halfway through the innings with his 83 (31), studded with 10 maximums and three fours. To put into context the importance of his knock, the second-highest individual score registered by the team was 24!

He single-handedly managed to script the historic chase - nobody had chased that huge a number in the last 10 overs. The impeccable blinder he pulled off will stay fresh in Paltan’s memories for a long time to come.

A strong 70 (47) vs RCB, 2017

Playing at the Chinnaswamy stadium, and after having restricted the home team RCB to 142/5, it seemed like the chase would be an easy one. However, MI faced a shaky start. Wickets fell like dominos and at the seven-run mark, MI had lost 4 big wickets.

Looking hopeless at 7/4 and then at 33/5, Pollard took centrestage. What followed was a knock of hope, promising victory from the shackles of a loss. From being at 33/5 at the 8-over mark, to winning the game for the team confidently by four wickets with seven balls left, Pollard had shown why he was the danger man of the team.

Nothing could stop him that night, not even an in-form Samuel Badree, whose hattrick caused the top-order damage for MI. In the end, it was his compatriot, Pollard, who would come out on top.

An important 60* (32) vs CSK, 2013 Final

It was the final of the 2013 IPL edition. Mumbai Indians were setting the target. Wickets steadily kept falling and a small total seemed destined in the first innings. It was a big game, and one that could possibly bring in the first title for MI, this panic was not what the team needed.

In comes a calm, composed, Kieron Pollard. With a task at hand and a roar in his heart, he builds the innings, boundary after boundary, ball after ball, scoring 60* (32) to take MI to a decent total of 148/9. His innings, paced at a strike rate of 187.5, definitely turned things around for MI, and gave the bowlers a total to defend.

MS Dhoni’s 63* (45) was not enough for the Men in Yellow to scale the 149-run target. Pollard, the Man of the Match in that game, helped Mumbai Indians lift the first IPL title by defeating CSK by 23 runs.

Time and again, Pollard has done things that have proven why he has earned the title of The LLORD. A decade in the team, and neither his role, nor his prowess have changed. His composure and presence on the field is calming for the fans and fellow teammates.

Lastly, he will forever be a Paltan’s favourite, and we won’t stop going “POLLY, POLLY!” wherever we are, whatever we’re doing, every time he takes the stage! We surely can’t wait to see the birthday boy smack those sixes again!