IPL 2019 | Rohit Sharma would be back in next game, says Kieron Pollard

Mumbai Indians fans, as well as the Indian team management, would be relieved as Rohit Sharma will feature in the team’s next game on April 13 against Rajasthan Royals. During his workout in the field at Wankhede, Rohit was laying flat on the ground clutching his muscle in excruciating pain and was helped in order to make a walk to the dressing room. It was a huge concern with the World Cup less than two months away.

The opening batsman has formed a core of the Indian team and is also the vice-captain. However, all seemed well now, with Kieron Pollard stating that he would return in the next match. “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,” stated Pollard, at the post match presentation ceremony, reported Cricbuzz.

MIwere chasing a huge of 198 against Kings XI Punjab, and Pollard decided to promote himself up the order, as he came at number four. All the other batsmen around him failed, but the all-rounder played a memorable knock of 83 in just 31 balls. The West Indian was looking to attack the lone spinner Ravichandran Ashwin on the flat track but the ace spinner ensured that didn't happen, as he scalped one wicket and gave away only 37 runs.

However, Sam Curran and Ankit Rajpoot were taken to the cleaners, as they were hit for 106 runs combined in their eight overs. The all-rounder felt that the need of the situation was to stay calm, and he did exactly that.

“I went up the order because I enjoy batting at Wankhede. Plan was to attack Ashwin as spin wasn't doing great. Unfortunately, it didn't happen but it was about staying calm,” expressed the 31-year-old.

The Kings started exceedingly well, openers Chris Gayle and KL Rahul stitched a hundred run partnership, before the West Indian was dismissed for 63 off 36 in the 13th over. Before Gayle’s wicket, KXIP were at 112 in 12 overs, but the MI bowlers made a resounding comeback as KXIP could only reach at 159 in 18 overs. However, the 19th over by Hardik Pandya, in which 25 runs were hit, completely changed the complexion of the match. But Pollard was not harsh on the bowlers and justified their stand by pointing out towards the flat pitch.

“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. We finished on the right end of the result and thanks to God for that too,” Pollard signed off.