Mumbai Indians (MI) defeated Chennai Super Kings (CSK) by four wickets in Match 27 of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021 at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi.
Chennai posted 218/4 after coming to bat first. Ambati Rayudu (27-ball 72 not out), Moeen Ali (58) and Faf du Plessis (50) guided the side to reach a huge total on the flat Delhi track.
💙💛#VIVOIPL #MIvCSK pic.twitter.com/2KdsDyxoSE
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) May 1, 2021
However, Kieron Pollard was the star of the show. First, with the ball, and then, with the bat. He picked up two wickets in two overs while conceding just 12 in this high-scoring contest. And despite the asking rate soaring above 15, he took the game away from Chennai. He remained unbeaten at 87, striking at 256. Here is what they said on Twitter.
WHAT. A. WIN for the @mipaltan 🔥🔥
Some serious hitting from @KieronPollard55 ( 87* off 34) as #MumbaiIndians win by 4 wickets.
Scorecard – https://t.co/NQjEDM2zGX #VIVOIPL pic.twitter.com/UAb6SYCMQz
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) May 1, 2021
Cricket West Indies congratulated Pollard for his valiant effort in the Chennai game.
Eye on IPL: “Incredible Pollard Legacy” — Kieron Pollard played one of the all time great T20 knocks — 87 off 34 balls to win off the last ball!🔥#MenInMaroon pic.twitter.com/0kgdOWD6Rh
— Windies Cricket (@windiescricket) May 1, 2021
Yuvraj Singh, too, could not resist himself without lauding Pollard.
What a game !! My man!!! @KieronPollard55 🙌🏻 you beauty !!‘ great knock from @RayuduAmbati aswell !! #MIvCSK
— Yuvraj Singh (@YUVSTRONG12) May 1, 2021
Virender Sehwag was in awe after seeing Ambati Rayudu’s rampant batting display earlier in the match.
72 of 27. Sab ulta hai in 3D mode.
The 3D glasses he ordered worked like how.
Absolutely brilliant hitting from Rayudu.
Chennai Romba Nalla this season. #CSKvMI pic.twitter.com/FVp8a7Q0KW— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) May 1, 2021
Joy Bhattacharjya credited all Chennai batsmen for playing their roles in IPL 2021. He pointed out the Yellow Army is not depending on a particular individual anymore.
Rayudu, FAF & Moeen today. CSK is batting on a different gear this season. They have adapted so well to the changing demands of this format.
— Joy Bhattacharjya (@joybhattacharj) May 1, 2021
The Mumbai chase was the second-highest ever in the tournament’s history.
#MI chased down a target of 200+ for the first time in their IPL history.
Among the active teams, SRH is the only team without a 200+ successful chase
No. of 200+ successful run chases in IPL:
3 – KXIP
3 – CSK
2 – RR
2 – KKR
1 – Delhi
1 – RCB
1 – MI
0 – SRH (highest 199)— Bharath Seervi (@SeerviBharath) May 1, 2021
Highest successful run chases in IPL:
224 – RR vs KXIP, Sharjah, 2020
219 – MI vs CSK, Delhi, 2021
215 – RR v DC, Hyderabad. 2008
209 – DD v GL, Delhi, 2017Previous highest by #MI – 199 vs KXIP, 2017
Previous highest VA #CSK – 206 by KXIP, 2014#IPL2021
— Bharath Seervi (@SeerviBharath) May 1, 2021