Kieron Pollard stood tall among the ruins with an unbeaten half—century to help Mumbai Indians post a modest 148 for nine against Chennai Super Kings in the Indian Premier League summit clash here today.
Pollard hit two huge sixes over long on and long off to end the proceedings as he smashed a 32—ball 60 not out studded with seven fours and three over—boundaries to push Mumbai Indians total close to 150.
It was a good toss to lose for Mahendra Singh Dhoni as his seamers duo of Mohit Sharma (1/26) and Albie Morkel (2/12) giving them a dream start rocking Mumbai Indians for 16/3 in the fourth over.
Later, it was Dwyane Bravo who earned the ‘Orange Cap’ in style with his four—wicket blitz that rattled the Mumbai Indians batting.
The two—time defending champions played to their reputation as the Dhoni’s men played without being affected by the controversy and the script just went their way at a jam—packed Eden Gardens.
The embattled Super Kings could not have asked for a better start with season’s ‘find’ Mohit dismissing Dwayne Smith (4) in the first over.
The dangerman Smith was trapped right in front when an in—cutter had him plumb in the fourth ball. The young Mohit almost had another in the same over when Dinesh Karthik had an outside edge, this time off an away swinger, but it was a little wide of Ravichandran Ashwin, the lone slip fielder.
Aditya Tare’s (0) stint lasted for one ball ball with Morkel rattling the youngster’s leg—stump in the first ball, and came back in the next over to dismiss Rohit Sharma (2) in a soft manner as the Mumbai skipper’s woeful run continued with the bat.
The young Mohit justified the faith on him as he kept things tight on one end running through his full quota with 1/26 but it was an otherwise silent Morkel who roared back to form.