Unlike in the past, Mumbai Indians’ Kieron Pollard didn’t throw the kitchen sink at the bowlers from the first ball. With Mumbai in strife, his approach was circumspect before expanding his range at the death.
His renewed approach would benefit MI, as was on Saturday. “The management staff makes the call as to where I should bat. So as a team player I have to back myself to the situations thrown at me. I take the opportunity as it comes. If you do not grab the chance you do not back yourself.
It was just a matter of playing as per the situation and utilising the opportunity. I made myself sure that I bat as per the situation. The situation was demanding that I should stay on and bat, which I tried to do,” said Pollard. Though he bowled ordinarily, he made amends with his stunning catch off MS Dhoni, which changed the match’s course.
“There has to be players in important positions. There could be strategies in bowling wider ones and the batsmen tend to go for bigger boundaries. Some guys cannot face up to intervene the ball nearing the ropes,” he said.
He also praised left-arm pacer Mitcell Joshnson, who played instead of Lasith Malinga.
“Obviously he (Mallinga) is a good bowler. He has also missed in couple of times. But, Mitchell bowled pretty well. Whatever we do, we do as a team. When Mallinga comes back and being fully fit, he is surely going to help us in the team. But, at this point in time, Mitchell had done a very good job,’’ said Pollard.