PBKS vs MI, 42nd Match at Abu Dhabi, IPL, Sep 28 2021 - Match Result

10.10pm: Kieron Pollard bowled six balls and batted seven balls - and created enough of an impact to be the clear Player of the Match. And on that note, we'll bid you goodbye from all of us tonight. The IPL caravan rolls on, so don't forget to join us tomorrow.

Kieron Pollard is the Player of the Match: (300th wicket gesture) Very important. Bowling's a bit under-rated eh! I just try to do my best whenever I get the opportunity. If needed, Rohit would have thrown the ball for me another over, but sometimes you just quit when you're ahead. (for his batting, who to target) You watch the trend of all the matches going and see who will bowl. (On his bowling). For me to get these wickets, I'll take it each and every time. When you're out of form, the boundary looks like it's 150 metres. I don't have pace, I don't have spin, I don't have swing, I don't have swing, but I have a little bit of brain! It was important to get the two points. Took 19 overs to get to the target but the two points was more important. Maybe it can spark something in the dressing room.

Rohit Sharma, the winning captain: As a team we didn't play to our potential, but these things happen when you play in such a format where you're competing really hard. It's important to stay within the group, stick with each other. It's a long tournament. Yes we didn't have the run we would have liked but we have been in this situation many times so we can take confidence from that. The guys we have in the squad are ready to fight. [On Hardik's batting] The way he understood the sitaution was important from the team perspective and for himself also. It's important he spent some time in the middle. (Dropping Ishan Kishan) was a very tough call but as a team we felt we needed a chance somewhere. But he looks very confident when you talk to him. Saurabh (Tiwary) was batting well, he got a 50 against CSK. We wanted someone who could nudge around. I'm not ruling out anyone, we want him (Ishan) to be back in form and playing for MI. (Pitches) Better than what we played in England! Towards the end of last year, it was pretty similar to what we are getting now. We need to change our tactics. There will be lots of change-ups from the opposition based on our batting line-up. (On Pollard) He's one of our key players. Been a crucial part of MI so many years. Give him the ball, give him the bat, he's ready to do the job. Those two wickets were crucial. He'll be happy getting the Man of the Match for his bowling performance.

10.00pm: Presentations coming up.

Ravi Bishnoi's spell, sadly, will be a footnote in the game since Mumbai are victorious. His two wickets in two balls really put Mumbai on the backfoot. But the champion team crawled out of the trouble with important contributions from their 'hallowed' but 'in the spotlight' middle order.

KL Rahul, losing captain: "Good fight from the bowlers, but we didn't score enough. This was the best deck we have played on. We should've got 170. The next three games will be really interesting for us. We haven't been able to handle the pressure over the tournament. Take it one game at a time will be the chat. We will also try to enjoy the games and not worry about the results. All the UAE games for us have gone to the wire."

Nalin: "Backing Tiwary for his maiden man of the match" -- Think it may be Pollard!

Aravind: "108 scored off the first 105 balls, then a ridiculous 29 off 9 to finish. Didn't see that coming!"

Amit: "Be afraid other teams. Be very afraid. Mumbai is BACK. "

9.34pm That familiar pair wins it for Mumbai Indians. A partnership of 45 in 23 balls, and that's sweet victory for the defending champs. At 92/4, Kings were slightly ahead in the game given the form that Pandya came into the game with.

Saravanan Sivak: "That improper wide call turned the match. Such a cruel game for bowlers" -- That was indeed a close call, but momentum changed from that ball, yes.

Harshdeep: "Arshdeep would have won PBKS the match. Tremendous first 3 balls. Tight call for wide and then it went south from there. Sad for someone who's been so consistent."

Silly.Point: "This seems to be the trend in this half of the IPL: the sudden cameo at the end to make a mockery of the match situation till then - Jadeja, Narine, now Pollard. "

Abhijeet: "Will the master and protege finish it off ?"

Shaun: ""He looks up to him after all" - That's the height of silly humor "

Two balls to go in the over.

from all over the world to bat for you, Pollard and Pandya would be the first choice."

Sheldon Smith: "Pollard being at the wicket will give Hadik confidence. He looks up to him after all"

Jasbir Singh: "Punjab kings should change their team's name punjab entertainment as they are entertaining us in every match"

Jay: "Ravi Bishnoi into 5th over?" -- It's Shami. Small technical glitch. It will be fixed asap! Thank you.

SHRAVAN: "did anyone remember Punjab winning in the second super over last year against MI?" -- Shami supremacy that night.