DELHI, India, CMC – West Indies power hitter Kieron Pollard and fellow Trinidadian Kevon Cooper played crucial roles to help their teams to victory in the Indian Premier League on Saturday.
The right-handed Pollard blasted an unbeaten 57 as Mumbai Indians beat Chennai Super Kings, with West Indies all-rounder Dwayne Bravo in the side, by nine runs in Chennai. Cooper, meanwhile, snapped up three for 30 from four overs of medium pace, as his Rajasthan Royals stole a five-run victory over Delhi Daredevils at the Feroz Shah Kotla.
Winning the toss and batting first at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, Mumbai were struggling at 83 for six before Pollard arrived to slam four fours and five sixes in a robust 38-ball knock. He put on 65 in an unbroken seventh wicket stand with veteran Indian off-spinner Harbhajan Singh who scored 21 not out. West Indies batsman Dwayne Smith managed just three while Bravo picked two for 44.
In reply, Chennai were limited to 139 for nine from their 20 overs, with Bravo struggling with ten from 17 balls. In the day’s second game, the Royals tallied 165 for seven after opting to bat first, with Rahul Dravid top scoring with 65 from 51 balls. Cooper scored two while West Indies fast bowling all-rounder Andre Russell finished wicket-less from his thee overs which cost 31 runs. Australia opener David Warner then top scored with 77 from 56 balls to lead Delhi’s run chase, with Russell failing with seven. Delhi needed eight off the last over but Cooper grabbed two wickets – including that of Russell’s – and gave up just three runs to see Royals home.
