Pollock stars with bat and ball
Veteran all-rounder Shaun Pollock wound back the years to inspire Mumbai Indians to a 29-run win over Delhi Devils on Sunday which lifted them off the foot of the IPL table.
The South African cracked a rapid 33 before claiming figures of 2-16 from his four overs as Mumbai surprised the tournament leaders.
The hosts’ total of 162 for eight had looked very achievable for a Delhi side which had won four times in the IPL going into the clash, but they reckoned without Pollock at his economical best.
Virender Sehwag’s rapid 40 was as good as it got for the Daredevils, who were bowled out for 133 inside 19 overs in reply.
Pollock’s fellow quick Ashish Nehra finished with 3-25.
The right-hand left-hand combination of Mumbai openers Yogesh Takawale and Sanath Jayasuriya looked threatening after a slow start, the latter racing to 34 off just 16 balls, hitting Vijaykumar Yomahesh for 10 runs in just two balls.
But the over then took a glorious turn for the Delhi bowler as first Takawale (14) threw his wicket away, a thick outside edge falling kindly for Pradeep Sangwan at third man, and then Jayasuriya was clean bowled.
Robin Uthappa (22 off 21) and Dominic Thornley (30 off 24) threatened to cut loose, the former looking in especially good nick until he needlessly attempted a cheeky flick which did not come off.
Thornley fell after he was deceived by a great change of pace from Rajat Bhatia to prompt the loss of three wickets for just three runs as Mumbai slipped from 109 for three to 112 for six.
Only Pollock offered some resistance towards the end of the innings as he bludgeoned two maximums on his way to 33 from just 15 balls before holing out in the final over.
Mumbai though made early inroads with the ball to leave their opponents floundering four for two, Nehra removing Gautam Gambhir (one) and Pollock getting rid of Shikhar (one).
Virender Sehwag consolidated with a rapid 40 from just 20 balls - one of the highlights a huge cut over point for six - until he spooned a Thornley delivery straight to Pollock.
The South African also had Shoaib Malik (24 off 22) caught in the deep by Abhishek Nayar to finish with an economy rate of just four.
Dinesh Karthik’s 28 revived Delhi’s hopes, but Nehra struck the killer blow with two wickets in two balls to dismiss Rajat Bhatia (nine) and Pradeep Sangwan (two) before the last four wickets fell for just three runs.
Shaun Pollock © Getty Images
Opinion Poll
Who will win the first npower Test Series of summer 2008?