Mumbai Indians (MI) star all-rounder Kieron Pollard recounted his knock against MS Dhoni-led side in an IPL 2021 encounter and said that match-winning performances against a team like Chennai Super Kings (CSK) is what stands up when people speak about the individuals.
Chasing the mammoth target of 219-run against CSK in their seventh match of IPL 14, MI found themselves tumbling at 81/3 after a fantastic start. However, the arrival of Kieron Pollard at the crease changed the course of the game.
Coming to bat at No.5 Kieron Pollard smashed a brutal 87 not out off only 34 balls, clearing the fence eight times, as MI pulled off a last-ball heist with four wickets in hand.
He along with a decent contribution from Krunal Pandya (32) and Hardik Pandya (16) helped the Rohit Sharma-led side to register their second consecutive win.
Talking about his performance at the post-match presentation, Kieron Pollard said that match-winning knock against teams like CSK is something people will speak about.
"There are world-class players in CSK. We billed this match-up as the Clasico of the IPL. When you have international guys with so much experience. Faf du Plessis and Suresh Raina, guys that have done it time and time again.
"You know you want to be able to come and perform in these sort of matches. These sort of things are what stands up when people speak about the individuals,” Kieron Pollard said during the post-match presentation.
Pollard said that it was just a matter of doing what he could do by playing to his strengths and doing what the team required. He added that there are a lot of other talented players who have won such types of matches for their team.
“You know what we have done over the years. For me it is not about ratings, it is more about doing the job and winning the game for your team and that is what I have done.
“There are a lot of guys who are talented in their own right, a lot of guys would have won cricket matches for their international teams and different franchises, so not to name anybody, but the guys have their talent,” he said.
Pollard said that it was nice to get an opportunity and win the game for his team. He further lauded the Pandya brothers and openers for their crucial contributions.
“It was just nice to get an opportunity to bat a couple of overs and win the game. But again, it was a total team effort. The innings by Krunal (Pandya) was crucial. The skipper (Rohit Sharma) and Quinton gave us that start and then there were a couple of sixes by Hardik (Pandya),” he said.
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Kieron Pollard further said that he wanted to repay the trust of the franchise which has shown so much trust in him.
“Over a period of time you are comfortable in a franchise and they believe in you. After so many years, you just want to continue to come out and perform for them. And perform yourself bright. So, for me it is just a matter of coming in day in and day out, trying to evolve as a cricketer, and trying to do my best,” he concluded.
(PTI inputs)
