‘Rohit getting exposed with’ – Fans recall importance of Kieron Pollard as MI batters crumble against CSK in IPL 2023

In Match 12 of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023, the two biggest teams of the competition, Mumbai Indians (MI) took on Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in Wankhede, Mumbai, on Saturday. The visitors, led by MS Dhoni won the toss and put Rohit Sharma’s side to bat first. 

MI, having faced an 8-wicket drubbing against Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in their opening match of the campaign, would have come into the game hoping to turn things around and register their maiden win of the season. However, on a batting-friendly surface at Wankhede, things went south for MI quickly with their star batters failing yet again.

As MI were languishing on 76 for 5, fans were reminded of the absence of their long-serving former batter and now the batting coach, Kieron Pollard, in their middle order. He was seen talking on the sidelines to Darren Ganga, sharing his insights and experiences being in the coaching setup for the first time.

Can MI capitalise on their strong 1st innings finish?

Although it was a no-show from the MI top order, Australia’s Tim David pulled the strings with a blistering 31 runs off 18 balls, well-complemented by Hrithik Shokeen’s unbeaten 18 runs off 13 balls. With Their top scorer was their opener Ishan Kishan, who scored 32 off 21. MI finished with a total of 157 for 8.

Although MI’s total was far below the par score for the kind of wicket that was on offer, they would be happy to take the total in the end as it seemed they were staring at a 140 finish. For CSK, the pick of the bowler was their starlet allrounder Ravindra Jadeja, who bagged 3 wickets for 20 runs in his four overs. His spin partner Mitchell Santner also had a good outing, finishing with figures of 2 wickets for 28 runs in four overs.

CSK, at the stroke of the six-over powerplay, scored 68 runs for the loss off one wicket. Their veteran batter Ajinkya Rahane came out all guns blazing on his return to the playing XI with a storming 53* off 20 in the first six overs. The only victim was Devon Conway, who registered a 4-ball duck.

Here is how fans remembered Pollard:

Pollard see today match #MIvCSK #CSKvsMI pic.twitter.com/YUIigU6M7w

— farman_tweetz (@its_f_a_r_m_a_n) April 8, 2023

https://twitter.com/TukTukCricketer/status/1644720388608528384

Yes MI has won 5 trophies that's right but This MI team can never Qualify for a playoffs That's Also a Truth !

Wt a downfall of a legendary side.

— Mr Nobody (@WuCares17) April 8, 2023

Not only tonight, going forward also.#CSKvMI

— Cryptobetsports (@cryptobetsports) April 8, 2023

He was the only reason y Mumbai had an edge on csk…

— Shashank Yadav (@Shashan01204687) April 8, 2023

Yes he is missed but can't be hanging back in the past n have to look for new options who can get this team through!

— Tejas Pujare (@TejasPujare7) April 8, 2023

https://twitter.com/OGVK360/status/1644719330175893509

https://twitter.com/aravindhan3333/status/1644726691527528449

Rohit getting exposed without him

— Beast (@Beast_xx_) April 8, 2023