IPL 2017: Royal Challengers Bangalore vs Mumbai Indians, 5 Talking Points

#4 Pollard the rescuer

Pollard rose to the occasion and applied himself beautifully on a slow pitch

In ideal conditions, Kieron Pollard comes to bat after 12 overs and then tonks a few big hits to finish the innings on a high note. This is what the West Indian’s job profile says.

But today he was thrown a new challenge as Samuel Badree reduced Mumbai to 7 for 4. Pollard was at the crease to face the 16^th ball of the innings and surely this was not where he could’ve played his natural game.

However, Pollard rose to the occasion and applied himself beautifully on a slow pitch. He showed positive intent by stepping down the track on his first ball and later negotiated the threat of Badree calmly.

Pollard also helped Krunal Pandya by offering him concrete advice and together they added 93 runs which proved to be the match-winning effort. Throughout his career, Pollard has played some terrific cameos but this quiet yet composed inning of 70 runs will rank among his bests.