IPL 2019: Kieron Pollard shares an update on Rohit Sharma after KXIP game

Yesterday, Rohit Sharma wasn’t a part of the Mumbai Indians (MI) in their match against the Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. Therefore, the 31-year-old missed a match for the franchise after 133 games, thereby missing out on Suresh Raina’s record of most consecutive appearances for the MS Dhoni-captained Chennai Super Kings (CSK) i.e. 134.

On Tuesday, Rohit injured his thigh during a practice session and he was being treated by physiotherapist Nitin Patel. Fortunately, the Nagpur-born batsman walked off on his own to the dressing room. However, speculations raised over him resting for the game. In the end, IPL debutant Siddhesh Lad replaced him as the opener even as Kieron Pollard took over as the captaincy mantle.

Pollard, who was the Player of the Match yesterday, said that the decision to sideline Rohit Sharma was only a precautionary measure. The Trinidadian also sounded positive about Rohit’s return for the match against the Rajasthan Royals (RR) at the iconic Wankhede on Saturday, April 13.

“We finished on the right end of the result and thanks to God for that too. Obviously, Rohit is the captain of the team and it was only a precautionary measure for the team. He should be back in the next game. I would gladly give it back to him and field at the boundary, while also thinking of what to contribute to the team,” Pollard was quoted as saying in the post-match presentation ceremony.

We did pull things back in the middle overs a bit

Pollard was in prime form the last night. He batted up the order and came to bat at a stage when Mumbai needed 142 runs in 74 balls. But he didn’t allow the pressure to dictate terms and scored 83 runs from 31 balls with three fours and 10 sixes. Talking about the knock, Pollard mentioned that staying calm in the middle did the trick for him in the bowlers’ graveyard.

“I went up the order because I enjoy batting at Wankhede. The plan was to attack Ashwin as spin wasn’t doing great. Unfortunately, it didn’t happen but it was about staying calm. Was a difficult pitch to bowl on and good to bat on, so we did well with the ball after the start they got. We did pull things back in the middle overs a bit but lost the plot at the end. Again, can’t be harsh on the bowlers,” he added.

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