IPL 2019: Kings XI Punjab ponder over Chris Gayle fitness, praise ‘superhuman’ Kieron Pollard knock

The clash between Mumbai Indians and Kings XI Punjab at the Wankhede stadium on Wednesday witnessed some brilliant knocks. KL Rahul slammed his maiden IPL century, Chris Gayle blasted 63 off 36 balls which included seven sixes. However, Kieron Pollard trumped them all with a blazing 83 off 31 balls as Mumbai Indians secured their highest-ever chase at the Wankhede stadium in the IPL by chasing down 198 off the last ball to win by three wickets. While Mumbai Indians were boosted by Pollard’s amazing knock, Kings XI Punjab was left to ponder some issues related to their bowling and also concern over Gayle’s injury.

Speaking about it after the match, Kings XI Punjab skipper Ravichandran Ashwin said Gayle had suffered an injury. “He (Gayle) said he twisted his back. We have to go check and how he is. He felt a twitch in the back - that's what he said. We need to assess and monitor what he's going to do over the next couple of days,” Ashwin said.

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Ashwin felt the team lost momentum after a great start but conceded that Pollard was the major difference between the two sides. "We were about 10s for 10-12 overs and then we lost a little momentum while batting which I feel was crucial for us. I thought we pretty good as a bowling unit in bits and pieces. At the end of the day Pollard batted beautifully and took the game away from us...We could have been a little steelier and smarter with our plans," Ashwin said.

Kings XI Punjab batting coach S Sriram admitted that Pollard totally took the game away from them. “We have seen Andre Russell (of Kolkata Knight Riders) doing it a few times. (But) this was extraordinary. To do 13 an over for like 13 overs - took some doing and only someone like Pollard could do that. At that point in time, you have to be positive and hopefully, he mis-hits one. I think our plans were good but just that today he was unstoppable,” Sriram said.

Mumbai Indians will next take on Rajasthan Royals at the Wankhede on April 13 while Kings XI Punjab will take on Royal Challengers Bangalore at the IS Bindra stadium in Mohali.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Chris Gayle blasted yet another fifty for Kings XI Punjab.
• Kings XI Punjab's next encounter will be against bottom-ranked Royal Challengers Bangalore.
• Kieron Pollard captained Mumbai Indians in Rohit Sharma's place.