IPL 2017 | Simmons, Pollard took game away from us: Skipper Zaheer Khan

Disappointed with his team’s performance, Delhi Daredevils skipper Zaheer Khan expressed helplessness when the two West Indians Lendl Simmons and Kieron Pollard scripted Delhi’s defeat on Saturday.

Simmons and Pollard smashed 66 and 63 runs, respectively before the Mumbai Indians bowlers bowled out Delhi for just 66 runs to register record 146-run win.

Zaheer Khan said, “There is nothing much you can do. When I was on the field, I felt that they batted well. We had our plans, we started well, we stuck to the plan, but the partnership between Lendl and Pollard took the game away from us.”

“It’s tough to restrict a team in this sort of wicket and once the target is over 200, you have to go after it. Last game, you saw our fearlessness. We went after the bowling today as well, but couldn’t keep up. 190 was a good target. The dew was going to help us. But some days you can’t put a finger to the loss. We have to stay positive, we have to regroup, we have a slight break. But it’s all about winning games, playoffs is still possible,” he further added.

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‘Man of the Match’ was awarded to Simmons who was playing his first match of the 10th season of Indian Premier League.

The West Indian batsman said, “I have been practicing hard. I have been hitting the gym, keeping my fitness up, waiting for the opportunity. It came today and I took it in both hands.”

“I’m good as a replacement player, it’s been good for me.  Batting in the Powerplay and with Parthiv is always good. My game plan is to see off the first two overs and then back my shots. At first it was a bit slow, but dew came on, and then the shots were easy to play. Batting with Pollard is good, we are accustomed playing together. We didn’t have a total in mind, we just had a mind towards keeping the run-rate up and not losing wickets at crucial times,” Simmons further said.

Skipper Rohit Sharma was pleased with the overall performance of Mumbai Indians.

“We were clinical from the start. I think the opening stand set the game up for us. Lendl coming back after a long time, playing that way was amazing. And Polly, a brilliant finisher. Great performance by the bowlers as well and to win by 146 runs is huge,” the Mumbai Indians skipper said.

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