MUMBAI, India, CMC-West Indies players Dwayne Smith and Kieron Pollard shared in crucial partnerships that deprived Kings X1 Punjab and helped Mumbai Indians to a nail biting four run win in the Indian Premier League (IPL) on Monday.
Smith hit a 32-ball 33 and Pollard was unbeaten on 20 as Mumbai recorded their 6th win in this year’s IPL at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.
Earlier, Captain Rohit Sharma smashed a blistering unbeaten 79 off 39 balls to power Mumbai Indians to a challenging 174 for three after a sluggish start.
Sharma put on 43 runs for the third wicket with Smith and an 88 runs with Pollard for the unfinished fourth wicket.
Smith hit three fours and a six while Pollard’s knock included a six and a four.
Chasing 175 for victory, Kings XI were all out for 170 on the last ball of the match.
Pollard was brilliant in the field leaping into the air to take an amazing one handed catch inches inside the fence to dismiss Shaun Marsh for ten.
Meantime, Rajasthan Royals held their nerves to humble formidable Royal Challengers Bangalore by four wickets despite the efforts of West Indians Chris Gayle and Ravi Rampaul.
Sent into bat, RCB’s Gayle was in his element from the beginning, hitting six fours and a six during his whirlwind knock of 34 that came off just 16 balls.
But Shane Watson had the dangerous West Indian caught behind with a ball that was slightly on the shorter side outside off, drawing Gayle to go for a loose cut.
After the early onslaught by Gayle, RCB’s run rate dropped considerably and there was a period when Rajasthan conceded just 22 runs in four overs.
Rampaul had figures of two for 28 with one maiden from four overs as Royals reached 173 for six after RCB’s 171 for six.
