Mumbai Indians rose to the top of the points table with a scintillating 48-run win over Kings XI Punjab. The men in Blue and Gold put up a wonderful all-round performance at the Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi.

Right from the batsmen to the pacers and even the spinners, everyone chipped in with crucial contributions. Director of Cricket Operations Zaheer Khan was thrilled with MI's victory over KXIP.

The former MI cricketer shared his thoughts on the fourth episode of Coach Cam. He spoke about the all-round performance from the team, Hardik-Pollard partnership and the bowling plans.

Rohit and Ishan put together a great partnership

MI suffered a couple of early dismissals as both Quinton de Kock and Suryakumar Yadav departed early into the innings. That's when skipper Rohit Sharma and youngster Ishan Kishan rebuilt MI's innings with a cautious approach.

"Very happy with the win. I think it was very important for us. We've been playing good cricket. I think you know the preparations have been fantastic and we've been motivating our troops in that regard. Everyone has been in tune with the game. They absorbed the pressure very well. I think that was one of the key highlights, be it bowling or batting. Rohit and Ishan put together a great partnership which was required at that stage. They took their time. The conditions were not easy."

We're always banking on Kieron Pollard

Despite Rohit's dismissal, the duo of Hardik Pandya and Kieron Pollard went all guns-blazing with the bat. The pair put up an unbeaten partnership of 67 runs from just 23 balls. Zaheer praised the big man from Trinidad and Tobago.

"Hardik and Pollard, that's what they're known for. I think it's great to have the big man in such a form. Coming from the tournament win in the Caribbean and now he's continuing with that form which is very important. We're always banking on Pollard coming to the party and when he comes to the party early, it's always a great sign for us."

Chahar and Krunal got the confidence and time in the middle

The pace battery of Jasprit Bumrah, Trent Boult and James Pattinson did a fine job in the middle. However, Zaheer highlighted the performance of the spinners as well who got going against the KXIP batsmen and exerted the pressure well.

"Well, we had specific plans in place. Shane Bond works very hard in making sure that all the bowlers are updated with plans. Good to have the experienced pace battery which we have and the spinners also joining the party. So it was very important for someone like Rahul Chahar and Krunal Pandya to get that confidence and time in the middle."

"I think everyone put their hand up today, which is a great sign for the team. So all in all, we're very happy with the way things are shaping up for us. It's about continuing with the process and going ahead in the tournament."