Journalism of Courage
When Kieron Pollard walked in,Mumbai had lost four wickets in 9.3 overs with the run rate not having hit six yet. Having elected to bat first,it was not a pretty situation to be in. The silver lining though,was that the West Indian had more than half the innings to make an impact on the game.
Added to the pressures of the match situation and the fact that it was a final,there was also Pollard’s reputation being a big match flop. In seven games that he has played for Mumbai in the play-off stages of IPL Pollard has made 117 runs at an average of 19.5 and a strike rate of 142.7. While not making for poor figures (his career T20 average and strike rates are about 10 points higher),it could be said that there isn’t the eye-catching performance. However,the usual constraints of his batting position having too few overs to make a significant contribution apply to these knocks too. In these five innings,he has played twice at No. 5,once at No. 6,thrice at No. 7,and even lower at No. 8 on one occasion.
On Sunday,it was a little different. Of the maximum of 63 balls left,Pollard would get to be on strike for 32 balls,enough time for him to shore Mumbai to a competitive total. Until he walked in,Mumbai had managed just six boundaries in 57 deliveries,or one every 9.5 balls. During the time that he spent at the crease,Mumbai would hit a four or six every 4.2 deliveries.
A push off the first ball he faced raced to the long off fence and go on to strike the first six of the innings three overs later. In between though,he would enjoy a big slice of luck. Ravindra Jadeja,bowling with a slip in place in the 12th over,the aggressive field positioning indicating Chennai’s strength at that point (MI were 66/4 in 11.1 overs) and the importance of Pollard’s wicket at that stage. The ball took the edge,but flew through the fingers of Ashwin at slip and on to the fence. From there on,Mumbai would grow in strength in the match,riding on Pollard’s hitting in the first half and their bowling in the second half of the match. From the 15th over on,Pollard would hit at least one boundary an over,even as wickets kept falling at the other end.
When Pollard walked in,he had Ambati Rayudu at the other end,and the pair were the last recognised batsmen for the side. The fall of wickets at the other end,apart from the approaching end of the innings was perhaps another factor that forced Pollard to go for the big hits.
Mumbai would lose nine wickets,but Pollard remained till the end,finishing off by smashing Dwayne Bravo for successive sixes off the last two balls,to make an unbeaten 60. Mumbai finished at 148/9,a total that proved more than adequate in the end. Pollard’s first half-century in a post-season game for the side in the tournament,gave them their first IPL title.
