5 most memorable innings by Mumbai Indians batters

3. Keiron Pollard’s 87* vs Chennai Super Kings, 2021

A high-scoring game, this match went down as the second-highest chase in the history of IPL so far. Winning the toss, Mumbai decided to bowl first and it turned out to be a nightmare of a decision. 

Batting first, Chennai lost a quick wicket in the form of Ruturaj Gaikwad. Despite that, 

Faf and Moeen Ali continued hitting big shots and soon put up 108 runs for the second wicket in just under 11 overs. Ambati Rayudu landed the final blow with his 72 off just 27 balls and Chennai finished at 218 for 4. 

Rohit Sharma and Quinton de Cock took the opening guard for Mumbai Indians. The duo put up 71 in just 7.1 overs before Sharma was removed by Shardul Thakur. With one, came the others, and soon Mumbai’s score was 3 for 81 in 9.4 overs. That’s when Pollard walked in. 

Pollard started slowly, trying to avoid the falling of wickets. He was careful for a couple of overs, trying to just defend and rotate strike. The rampage started in the 13th over, when Pollard hit Jadeja for 3 sixes. Mumbai ended the over at 114 runs for 3 wickets, requiring 105 runs to win from 7 overs at 15 runs per over. 

Pollard continued to take on all bowlers, be it Ngidi, Curran, or Shardul. It all came down to the final over of the game. MI needed 16 to win off the final over, and Pollard and Dhawal Kulkarni were on strike. Ngidi tried to bowl a yorker but ended up giving away a low full-toss. However, Keiron Pollard was not able to capitalize on it and the ball went to the square-leg fielder. 

There was a run on offer, but Pollard knew Kulkarni won’t be able to do the impossible. The second and third balls went for fours. MI needed 8 off 3 now.  Ngidi bowled yet another yorker and Pollard missed it again. Ngidi tried something similar the next ball but this time, but Pollard was smart this time. He rifled the ball away to deep square leg and it sailed past the boundary ropes for a six. 

This meant MI needed 2 runs off the last ball. Pollard hit the ball and blindly ran. Kulkarni and he were able to get those two runs, meaning MI had won the game by 4 wickets. Pollard became immortal in the history books with his 87 not out in 34 balls. He was awarded the Player of the match for his brilliance that included 2 wickets with the ball as well.