When Kieron Pollard Became Chennai Super Kings’ Worst Nightmare

The Mumbai Indians powerhouse has often been their biggest headache, and on 1st May 2021, he proved it once again. In a thrilling match, CSK posted a huge total of 218 runs, but Pollard had other plans. Coming in when Mumbai needed a big finish, Pollard smashed his way to a heroic 87 off just 34 balls, hitting boundaries at will. Thanks to his brutal power-hitting, MI chased down the target in the final over, handing CSK a defeat they won’t forget.

MI vs CSK: 1st May 2021

The match between Mumbai Indians and the Chennai Super Kings has always been a match where emotions run high, expectations are massive, and drama is almost guaranteed. On May 1st, 2021, at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi, the two IPL giants clashed in what turned out to be a classic as a last-ball thriller that saw Mumbai Indians chase down a mammoth total of 219, winning by 4 wickets. The hero of the night was Kieron Pollard, whose unforgettable knock of 87 off just 34 balls became one of the most iconic finishes in IPL history.

Chennai Super Kings, having lost the toss and being put into bat first, posted a massive 218/4 in their 20 overs, thanks to a superb batting performance by their top and middle order. The innings didn’t start smoothly as Ruturaj Gaikwad was dismissed in just the fourth ball of the match, caught off Trent Boult for 4. However, what followed was a blazing partnership between Faf du Plessis and Moeen Ali, both of whom set the stage for a big total.

#OnThisDay In 2021

MI Chased 219 against CSK
Pollard Scored 87* (34) 💥🙌

– MI (219/6), This is Highest Target Chased in India

– For 1st time, CSK Lost While Defending 200+ target in India

(1/2) pic.twitter.com/rFIpFhZzcN

— 𝑺𝒉𝒆𝒃𝒂𝒔 (@Shebas_10dulkar) May 1, 2022

Faf, continuing his great form, scored 50 off just 28 balls with 2 fours and 4 massive sixes, while Moeen Ali was equally destructive with his 58 off 36 balls, hitting 5 fours and 5 sixes. Their 108-run partnership came in quick time, attacking both pace and spin, especially targeting the usually economical Rahul Chahar and Jasprit Bumrah. The duo lifted CSK to 112/1 by the 11th over, before both were dismissed within the space of two deliveries — Faf falling to Pollard and Moeen to Bumrah.

However, what came next completely turned the game’s momentum in CSK’s favour. Ambati Rayudu walked in and played one of the most blistering knocks of the IPL season, smashing 72* off just 27 balls, which included 4 fours and a jaw-dropping 7 sixes. He targeted the death overs mercilessly, with MI bowlers like Ngidi and Thakur bearing the brunt. Ravindra Jadeja supported him well, scoring a steady 22 off 22 balls.

The final overs saw Rayudu unleashing full power. Between overs 16 and 20, CSK added over 70 runs. Despite Bumrah and Boult being known for their death-over control, they were dispatched with ease, especially Bumrah who had a rare off day, conceding 56 runs in his 4 overs. Kieron Pollard was the only bowler who stood out for MI with 2 wickets for just 12 runs in 2 overs, breaking crucial partnerships. Thanks to Rayudu’s brilliance, CSK posted an imposing 218/4, a total that looked match-winning.

Chasing 219 was never going to be easy, and Mumbai Indians started the innings with urgency as the opening pair of Quinton de Kock and Rohit Sharma gave MI a flying start, adding 71 runs in just 7.4 overs. Rohit looked in great touch, scoring 35 off 24 balls with 4 boundaries and a six while Quinton de Kock also kept the scoreboard ticking at a good rate with his 38 off 28 balls. However, CSK fought back with quick wickets as Rohit fell to Shardul Thakur, Suryakumar Yadav was dismissed cheaply by Jadeja, and de Kock departed soon after, caught and bowled by Moeen Ali.

MI slipped from 71/0 to 81/3 within a few balls and at 81/3 in the 10th over, the required rate had climbed, and CSK looked to be in control. Krunal Pandya tried to steady things with a decent 32 off 23 balls but couldn’t accelerate much and when he was dismissed in the 17th over with the score at 170/4, MI still needed 49 runs off 21 balls which was a daunting task even with batting firepower.

But standing tall amidst the pressure was Kieron Pollard. Walking in during the 10th over, Pollard took some time to settle before launching a savage assault on the CSK bowlers. He reached his fifty in just 17 balls, equalling one of the fastest in MI’s history, hammering six sixes and three boundaries in the process. He targeted Lungi Ngidi and Shardul Thakur, both of whom leaked runs under pressure.

One of the most memorable moments came when Pollard smashed three sixes in an over off Ngidi, completely changing the momentum. With Hardik Pandya and then James Neesham falling in quick succession, Pollard had to do the heavy lifting.

The Thrill of the Last Over

Going into the last over, MI needed 16 runs. Ngidi was entrusted with the final over despite already conceding heavily. Pollard kept a calm head and smashed two boundaries and a six, including a crucial two off the last ball to seal the win for MI with zero balls to spare. The over began with Pollard refusing a single on the first ball, confident he could finish the job himself. On the second delivery, he squeezed a yorker through his legs for a lucky four. The third ball, a high full-toss, was flicked fine for another boundary.

With the pressure mounting, Ngidi bowled a dot on the fourth, and hence Pollard retained strike. With 6 runs needed off 2 balls, Ngidi bowled a full-toss and Pollard smashed it over deep square leg for a massive six, levelling the scores. Now needing just 2 runs off the final ball, Ngidi aimed for the blockhole, but Pollard dug it out calmly and placed it down the ground. Faf chased the ball from long-on, but Pollard and Kulkarni ran hard to complete two runs.

Pollard finished with an unbeaten 87 off 34 balls, including 8 sixes and 6 fours. His performance wasn’t limited to batting as he also took 2 wickets for just 12 runs, dismissing both Faf and Raina. Without his all-round heroics, this match could have easily gone CSK’s way and his knock is widely regarded as one of the greatest match-winning innings in IPL history.

In the end, this encounter wasn’t just a high-scoring thriller as it was a classic example of how experience, power-hitting, and calmness under pressure can turn the tide. Kieron Pollard, with bat and ball, proved why he’s one of the most feared T20 players in the world, carrying MI to an unforgettable victory.