With the campaign on the line, Pollard shakes off the rust and channels his best version

In their game against the LA Knight Riders on Sunday night, Kieron Pollard personified the “spirit of MI.” Pollard, a 15-year MI club veteran, pulled his team out of the metaphorical hole once more, sending the reigning MLC winners to the 2024 postseason. The 37-year-old Pollard had appeared sluggish at bat during the season, having played his final competitive game in March. But the antics were back on the pitch, holding the willow, in a do-or-die situation.

When Pollard came to bowl his first over in the last over of the innings, he faced an aggressive Andre Russell.

He surprised the batsman with a short ball that skied to the keeper, ending a frustrating last-wicket partnership that threatened to push the LAKR score even higher. Rushil Ugarkar, who had given up just 15 runs in his three overs, was Pollard’s debutant. However, Pollard opted to put himself in danger instead of bowling. Pollard, understandably delighted to get Russell’s number, began a joyous run that ended at the boundary ropes. He was aware that MINY’s chances of qualifying, as well as the outcome of the game, depended on his former West Indies teammate’s cat and mouse game.

With MINY’s prospects of a title defence hanging in the balance, Pollard brought that momentum into the bat. With Rashid Khan in the hut, MINY’s qualification equation was 40 off 30 deliveries. Pollard needed a helping hand after managing just 24 runs in five innings before this game. Sunil Narine sent him a gentle delivery on the pads that might be tickled for four runs. Pollard was quick to adapt, making his mark on the match and essentially stopping MINY’s progress by hitting three straight sixes off Spencer Johnson in the next over. He concluded his brilliant cameo of 33* in 12 deliveries by welcoming Ali Khan in the following over and slapping him with similar force to fine leg.

“I think that celebration says it all about how he wanted to win this game, wanted to win moments,” remarked Nicholas Pooran.

Russell was probably fired by him last year as well. That over was crucial to the outcome of the game because, as you are aware, Russell can be really dangerous, particularly in the final over of a Twenty20 innings. It was fantastic of him to assume responsibility, deliver the final over, and take a wicket. That, in my opinion, pushed back LAKR by 20 runs in a game that they had to win, and considering the NRR component, 150 on that wicket might have been difficult. That’s the kind of narrow margins you want to win, and you know he did for us by sending the appropriate message.”

The animated figure in the centre was Pooran himself. After each of his four companions fell, he would scowl for a lengthy period and occasionally throw his head back in despair. But that was just a reflection of the intense need to change MINY’s luck as they were stuck at the table with only one win. With spurts of measured aggressiveness, Pooran continued to drive the ball forward, channelling his determination to play a resolute innings of 35 off 28 deliveries.

“We’re always talking about bravery, raising your hands. Naturally, mistakes are inevitable in a game like cricket, but if we want to advance in this league as a team, we can’t keep making the same errors over and over again.

“When guys make dumb errors like that, we need to put our egos aside and comprehend what’s going on in the game. It hurts, of course, but you have to understand that it’s just a game and go on. It’s true that when there’s pressure to succeed, emotions surface, and there are definitely some things I was disappointed in. Nevertheless, I hope the guys who had the chance to compete tonight learn from the experience and improve themselves, as this will benefit them in the long run. We can joke about it now and carry on with our day, knowing that whatever happened in the park stays there.”

Now that they’ve made it into the playoffs, MINY is essentially following the same path that brought them the championship last year—a comeback and the trophy. They defeated the Texas Super Kings in the tournament’s penultimate game last year in front of a sea of yellow fans at Grand Prairie Stadium, spoiling their celebration. This season, they will play them again in the Eliminator.

“Everyone is aware of the intense rivalry between the Super Kings and MI, as well as between them and other teams in America. Pooran remarked, “You can see how many people turn out to watch the game.”

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“I realise that, for whatever reason, he only thinks of it as a bombastic game, but I also mean Bravo and Polly when I say that. They are very competitive with one another to see who can win more games, titles, and all-around performance. Hopefully, on Wednesday, we will see the best performance from Polly because he has gained momentum at the appropriate time. Nevertheless, it’s a major game, and I suppose it’s a major game for America as well.”