IPL 2021: MI vs CSK Review – Pollard madness seals record chase for Mumbai

It was the Kieron Pollard Show all over again at Delhi’s Arun Jaitley Stadium as Mumbai Indians chased down their first-ever 200+ total in the IPL on Saturday. Having been set a target of 219, Mumbai’s run-chase was a complete roller coaster ride with the defending champs winning off the last ball.

CSK go on a rampage

Earlier, MI got off to a good start with the ball after winning the toss and electing to bowl first. Ruturaj Gaikwad got out early but Moeen Ali and Faf du Plessis played good hands, scoring fifties each. Moeen fell for 58 while du Plessis got out for 50. The duo and Suresh Raina got out in quick succession, before Ambati Rayudu launched an assault on the Mumbai bowlers. Rayudu blasted 72 off just 27 balls and helped Chennai finish with a gigantic score of 218.

Mumbai start well but falter

Mumbai started off the run-chase quite well, with Rohit Sharma making 35 and Quinton de Kock adding 38 runs. But Rohit and Surya fell in quick succession and Mumbai suddenly found themselves in trouble.

Eventually, it was the strength of Mumbai’s all-rounder trio which guided them home. Kieron Pollard, who had picked up two wickets earlier, ended with a fantastic innings of 87 in 34 balls, a knock that transformed Mumbai’s chase. Hardik Pandya made 16 off 7 while his brother, Krunal scored a 23-ball 32.

Turning points

Kieron Pollard’s knock: A scintillating half-century from the big West Indian turned the match completely in Mumbai’s favour. While the run-rate kept increasing, he kept his calm at one end scoring quite comfortably. Pollard came out to bat at a time the match was slipping away from Mumbai’s grasp.

Faf du Plessis dropping Pollard’s catch: In an interesting turn of events, Faf du Plessis, one of the best fielders in CSK, dropped an easy straightforward catch. This incident happened in the 18th over and was the only chance that Pollard gave Chennai en route his mad innings. Chennai probably lost the plot and from thereon, it was one-way traffic.

Personal achievements/records

• Kieron Pollard scored his fifty in 17 balls – it is the fastest fifty of IPL 2021
• Suresh Raina played his 200th IPL match

Way ahead

Mumbai will now face Hyderabad on May 4 while Chennai will face Rajasthan next on May 5.