(SPORTSMAX) – Keiron Pollard bludgeoned six maximums from 17 deliveries to hand Mumbai Indians back-to-back IPL wins for the first time this season.A sensational half-century from Kieron Pollard on his 100th Indian Premier League outing ensured Mumbai Indians completed a double over Kolkata Knight Riders with a six-wicket victory at the Wankhede Stadium.
Rohit Sharma upstaged Gautam Gambhir in the Indians’ victory at Eden Gardens and he did so again yesterday, with a sublime unbeaten 68 putting Mumbai on track for victory.
But it was Pollard who saw them over the line with a display of brilliantly destructive batting as he notched 51 runs off just 17 balls – equalling Chris Morris’ fastest 50 of the 2016 competition – to complete the win with two overs remaining.
Mitchell McClenaghan (1-33) dropped Gambhir in the second over and it appeared it would be a costly error as he went on to rack up 59 runs.
However, New Zealand international McClenaghan made amends by dismissing the Kolkata opener in the 14th over, Pollard taking the catch at mid-off to leave the visitors 121-3.
The Knight Riders struggled to add their score thereafter, with Tim Southee (2-38) dismissing Suryakumar Yadav (21) and Andre Russell (22), though the fast-bowler passed up chances to catch Chris Lynn (10 not out) and Yusuf Pathan (19 n o ) in the penultimate over.
Mumbai lost Parthiv Patel (1) to Umesh Yadav (1-19) early on, but Rohit maintained his composure and helped ensure 64 runs were put on during the powerplay.
The Indians’ captain showed great technique as he notched 10 boundaries, including two maximums, despite losing Krunel Pandya (6) and Jos Buttler (15), who was caught in impressive fashion by the juggling Lynn off Sunil Narine (2-22).
However, Kolkata had no response for Pollard, who peppered the on-side boundary.
The West Indian took Rajagopal Sathish (0-30) for a trio of sixes in the 16th over and did the same to Jaydev Undakat (0-49), bringing up his fifty with a sixth maximum and completing the win in sensational fashion.