Mumbai Indians enjoyed a thrilling victory over Punjab Kings in Dharamsala on Thursday, sealing the match in the final over. However, the win was later overshadowed by a controversy involving MI batting coach Kieron Pollard. Pollard has been accused of using an “audible obscenity” during the 19th over of Mumbai Indians’ run chase.
At the end of the 18th over, MI still required 28 runs from 12 deliveries, with tension clearly visible in the dugout. England batter Will Jacks then smashed a six off Australian pacer Xavier Bartlett on the first ball of the over to ease some pressure. Amid the tense moments in the over, an incident reportedly caused Pollard to lose his temper and use an expletive.
Neither the Indian Premier League (IPL) nor the BCCI revealed the exact moment when Kieron Pollard lost his temper or what led to the incident. However, the former Mumbai Indians all-rounder, who was part of all five of the franchise’s title-winning campaigns in 2013, 2015, 2017, 2019 and 2020, admitted his mistake.
Pollard has been fined 15 percent of his match fee and has also received one demerit point for the offence.
“Kieron Pollard, Batting Coach, Mumbai Indians has been fined 15% of his applicable match fee and accumulated one demerit point for breaching Level 1 of the IPL’s Code of Conduct for Players and Team officials. Pollard was found to have breached article 2.3 of the IPL’s Code of Conduct, which relates to “use of an audible obscenity during a match.”
“The incident occurred in the 19th over of the second innings when Pollard used abusive language towards the fourth umpire. Pollard admitted to the offence and accepted the sanction imposed by Match Referee, Pankaj Dharmani,” an IPL release said on Friday.
Tilak Varma’s Heroics Help Mumbai Indians Beat PBKS In Last-Over Thriller
Mumbai Indians bounced back to winning ways on Thursday night with a thrilling four-wicket victory after chasing down a target of 201 with one ball remaining. Tilak Varma starred in the chase with a sensational unbeaten 75 off just 33 deliveries.
The left-hander sealed the match in style by smashing back-to-back sixes on the fourth and fifth balls of the final over in a stunning exhibition of power-hitting. Tilak also shared a crucial 56-run partnership for the fifth wicket with Will Jacks in only 20 balls, a stand that ultimately proved match-winning.
The victory was MI’s second win in their last three games. However, despite the result, the five-time champions are already out of the playoff race and are now playing only for pride.
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