IPL 7: Mumbai Indians coach John Wright dejected with losing streak, happy with Kieron Pollard's return to form
Despite Mumbai Indians' record fifth successive defeat in the seventh edition of the Indian Premier League, Caribbean all-rounder Kieron Pollard's knock of 78 of 48 balls comes as a sign of positive things to come for the franchise in the Indian leg of the tournament starting on May 2.
Mumbai Indians' big-hitter Kieron Pollard announced his return to form with a characteristic, explosive knock of 78 off 48 balls that almost took his side to victory over the Sunrisers Hyderabad in Dubai on Wednesday. Although it came in a losing cause, the fact that Pollard's willow has started to do some talking is a welcome change in the Mumbai dugout that is currently low on confidence and self-belief.
While reflecting on their poor run of form in the IPL so far, Mumbai Indians coach John Wright admitted that Pollard's return to form is a big boost for the side. "Getting someone like Pollard back to form is a big boost ahead of heading back to Mumbai," Wright said during the post-match press conference.
Meanwhile, Sunrisers Hyderabad coach Tom Moody expressed his delight at the victory and also showered praise on Pollard for his efforts. " Pollard, as we have known in the last few years is an extremely dangerous player. He got going and we had our troubles to close him down."
With this knock, Pollard's tally of runs in the Indian Premier League has gone past the 1,100-run mark. He is only the second Mumbai player to score a fifty in this edition of the IPL after skipper Rohit Sharma.
The fact that this was his slowest fifty in the IPL (off 37 balls) proves how devastating he can be on his day. If Pollard once again gets going during Mumbai Indians' next game against the high-flying Kings XI Punjab on May 3, the huge crowds at Wankhede could be in for a treat.