Mumbai Indians all-rounder Kieron Pollard launched a carnage against Chennai Super Kings to bring the fastest half-century of IPL 2021. The all-rounder from the Caribbean Islands single-handedly brought Mumbai back in the run chase of 219 runs set by Chennai Super Kings at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi on a Saturday night. Eventually, he remained unbeaten on 87 runs from 34 deliveries to take his side home chasing 16 runs off the final over.
Chasing a mammoth total, Rohit Sharma and Quinton de Kock went bonkers against CSK bowlers. The opening pair added 71 runs for the first wicket to set the platform. But Chennai staged a comeback picking a couple of wickets in quick time to have Mumbai Indians at 81 for three when Kieron Pollard walked out to bat and completely changed the complexion of the game.
Kieron Pollard hits the fastest fifty of IPL 2021
The 33-year-old, who has blown hot and cold so far in this season with the bat, came to the party just when his side needed the most. While many thought the defending champions were out of the game, Kieron Pollard brought them back in the hunt with nine hits. The veteran all-rounder struck six towering sixes and hit two boundaries to bring his fifty in just 17 deliveries.
In the process, Pollard recorded a handful of milestones. Kieron Pollard’s 17-ball 50 is the joint-fastest for Mumbai Indians and the fastest of IPL 2021. Krunal Pandya, who was batting at the other end was a mere spectator when Pollard’s masterclass was on display in Delhi. The southpaw didn’t look in the best of forms and could only manage 32 runs before Hardik Pandya smacked two sixes to close down the game before Pollard took the game home.
Social media was on fire soon after Kieron Pollard achieved the landmark and brought Mumbai Indians back in the game. From Shai Hope to Harsha Bhogle to Russell Arnold to name a few bow down to the legend soon after he took Mumbai Indians over the rope.
Here are some of the reactions:
Pollard 👏🏽
— Shai Hope (@shaidhope) May 1, 2021
Pol-LORD👏👏👏👏Man what hitting #VIVOIPL #MIvCSK Oh my.. oh my 😃
— Russel Arnold (@RusselArnold69) May 1, 2021
Pollard 🔥 #MIvCSK
— Robin John Peterson (@robbie13flair) May 1, 2021
Superb game #VIVOIPL cricket. Kieron Pollard is a legend. 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻💪💪💪
— Ian Raphael Bishop (@irbishi) May 1, 2021
To be fair, both these teams are champion teams.
But that was cool to watch, Pollard take a bow bud!— Dale Steyn (@DaleSteyn62) May 1, 2021
Pollard against Pollard against
Other teams CSK pic.twitter.com/bCnBAkkeHx— Rahul (@BeingTrickyy) May 1, 2021
Pollard’s gone bonkers!
— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) May 1, 2021
I want to see West Indies win a championship under the captaincy of Kieron Pollard. #IPL2021
— S Sudarshanan (@Sudarshanan7) May 1, 2021
Fastest for others, normal for Polly. Splendid 50!!💪🏼💪🏼 #MIvCSK @KieronPollard55 @mipaltan #IPL2021
— Vinay Kumar R (@Vinay_Kumar_R) May 1, 2021
Kieron Pollard has been the second most destructive batsman of this season after Rahul Dravid.
— Sagar (@sagarcasm) May 1, 2021
Pollard eats #CSK in breakfast, lunch and Dinner, every single time, started in 2010 IPL final and still going on in 2021.
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) May 1, 2021
Pollard's IPL career dedicated to hammering CSK & RCB very consistently
— arfan (@Im__Arfan) May 1, 2021
It’s been Kieron Pollard vs #CSK! #MIvCSK #IPL2021
— S Sudarshanan (@Sudarshanan7) May 1, 2021