In what was a thrilling encounter at the Dubai International Stadium, Kings XI Punjab managed to edge past Mumbai in the second Super Over.

For the first time in the history of IPL, it took almost 44 overs to decide the result of the game. Earlier in the game, both teams put up a total of 176/6 on board. The first Super Over was also tied with both teams scoring five runs each before KXIP crossed the line in the second Super Over.

Kieron Pollard addressed the media at the post-match press conference. The all-rounder shared his thoughts on the nail-biting contest, Jasprit Bumrah’s performance, and the strategy in the upcoming games of Dream11 IPL 2020.

What was the strategy going into the second Super Over for the team?

Pollard: “There are decision-makers to make decisions. We can look at those things and say that’s where we lost the game but I’ll say that we played a very good game of cricket. We batted well to get to 170-odd and bringing it down to the last over whereas they were batting well. They could’ve gone on and won the game in 18-19 overs but I thought we played a really good cricket game.”

The first Super Over, Rohit, and Quinton went ahead of you, Hardik and Krunal. Was it because the target was relatively lower?

Pollard: “I think that six runs, six balls. These guys are world-class cricketers. Opening batters who can play their shots. But again it didn’t work so you’ll have a lot of articles and a lot of questions about what if someone came. But at the end of it sometimes, you just have to make that right decision and back whatever happens at the end.”

Two matches played in Dubai, both lost in Super Overs. The team hasn’t been able to record a win at this venue as yet. How different is it from Sharjah and Abu Dhabi?

Pollard: “No different. It’s cricket. You know, it’s the same 22 yards, but a different environment. When I look at it, two games in the Super Over. Again for us, it’s just a matter of pinpointing the areas where we can improve as a team and once we do that, we come back stronger as a unit. We’ve been playing some good cricket, let’s not take away that fact. But having said that, we weren’t able to cross the line today and that’s what we accept.”

How much of an advantage is it to have a bowler like Jasprit Bumrah in the fold and especially when a match reaches the Super Over?

Pollard: “He’s a world-class cricketer. He has been No.1 in a couple of formats for a long time. He has learned and he has gone leaps and bounds for us in Mumbai Indians, he has been around for a while now. Again, we have that comfort in him. A couple of years ago, we had a fit and fired Lasith Malinga and he has taken that mantle now. It’s just a matter of us getting runs on the board and going out to defend and then he can come out do his thing.”

A loss after five wins. What’s the focus area for the upcoming games?

Pollard: “It’s just a matter of improving. Every time we step on a cricket field, it’s to improve and to do better for us. So we will look back, we will analyze the game. The management team will come back with a better plan to get two points in the next game. You guys are accustomed to us winning cricket games, so we’ll try to go ahead and plan properly, and come and execute.”