IPL 2021: MI vs CSK- Kieron Pollard unbeaten knock of 87 runs guides MI past the finishing line

MI vs CSK: Mumbai Indians secured their second consecutive victory, as they secured a thrilling four wicket victory over their fiercest rivals, Chennai Super Kings. It was Kieron Pollard’s spectacular knock of 87 runs from just 34 balls that guided MI past the finishing line.

Rohit Sharma won the toss and put CSK into bat first. The Men in Yellow scored 218 runs from their 20 overs, losing only four wickets. Ambati Rayudu, Faf du Plessis and Moeen Ali, all scored half-centuries. Ambati Rayudu was the most impressive batsman as he smashed an unbeaten knock of 72 runs from just 27 balls, which included 7 sixes and 2 fours.

In response, Mumbai Indians started off well, but lost three quick wickets. However, just when it looked as if the defending champions were down and out, Kieron Pollard scored an unbeaten knock of 87 runs, as MI register their second consecutive victory. Krunal Pandya, Quinton de Kock and Rohit Sharma all got starts, but were failed to convert them into a big score.

Faf du Plessis and Moeen Ali continue to impress

Faf du Plessis continued his fine form against MI

Faf du Plessis registered his fourth consecutive half century this campaign. The South African scored 50 runs off just 28 balls, and he has now scored 320 runs in his seven innings so far at an average of 64. The Protea batsman started off cautiously, but accelerated quickly.

Moeen Ali continued his fine form, as he scored 58 runs off just 36 balls, which included 5 fours and 5 sixes. The English all-rounder has scored 206 runs in his six innings so far, at an average of 34.33 and a strike rate of nearly 160. With the ball, Moeen did a good job, as he picked the key wicket of Quinton de Kock and conceded just 1 run in his only over.

Ambati Rayudu shines for CSK

Rayudu was the star performer for CSK against MI

Ambati Rayudu was the standout batsman for CSK, scoring 72 runs in just 27 balls. Rayudu has failed to get many opportunities this season, but grabbed his opportunity with both hands on Saturday. He came in at a time when CSK lost three consecutive wickets, but he attacked the MI bowlers right from the onset.

Rayudu had a strike rate of 266.67, and scored runs all around the park. He decimated Jasprit Bumrah in the 17th over of the innings, as the Indian pacer registered his worst figures in IPL history. On the other end, Ravindra Jadeja struggled to find his timing and could manage to score just 22 runs in as many balls.

Also Read: IPL 2021: WATCH – CSK’s Ambati Rayudu Dominates MI Attack For An Unbeaten 72 Off 27 In Delhi

Kieron Pollard delivers an all-round performance

Kieron Pollard delivered an astonishing performance against CSK

Kieron Pollard delivered an all-around performance against Chennai Super Kings, as he was adjudged the player of the match. With the ball, he picked up two wickets in two consecutive deliveries, that brought back MI into the match.

With the bat, he scored a match-winning knock of 87 runs from just 34 balls, which included 6 fours and 8 sixes. The West Indian batsman came in at a time, when Mumbai were three down, with the required run-rate creeping up to 13 runs per over. However, he was let off the hook in the 13th over, when he smashed Ravindra Jadeja for three sixes in the over. From there on, he never looked back and dominated the CSK bowlers.