Watch: Kieron Pollard goes berserk with wild celebration after removing Andre Russell in MLC 2024

Mumbai Indians New York skipper Kieron Pollard led from the front in the game against Los Angeles Knight Riders in the Major League Cricket (MLC) 2024. The 19th match of the tournament between the teams took place at the Grand Prairie Stadium in Dallas on Monday (22nd July).

Kieron Pollard was at the top of his game with the bat and ball in the game against Los Angeles Knight Riders. In a game where qualification was at stake, the all-rounder came up with a clutch performance and helped his team win the game and enter the playoffs of the second edition of the Major League Cricket.

Kieron Pollard first gave himself the responsibility to bowl the last over of the innings against Andre Russell, who was going great guns. The Mumbai Indians New York skipper, however, made sure he stepped up for his team and removed his Carribean teammate to put his team in a strong position.

On the first ball of the last over, Kieron Pollard banged in a short ball on middle stump. Andre Russell got rushed by it as he tried to pull the ball which hit the splice and went up. Keeper Nicholas Pooran covered a lot of ground to his left and took a good catch.

What caught the attention of many was the celebration of Kieron Pollard after he took the wicket of Andre Russell. The Mumbai Indians New York skipper got pumped up as he got rid of a dangerous batter. He celebrated aggressively and the video of that went viral on the internet.

Here's the video:

Absolutely loving this rivalry ⚔️ 😍 Look at what it means to Kieron Pollard! 🔵 #<!---->M<!---->L<!---->C<!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->4 | #<!---->C<!---->o<!---->g<!---->n<!---->i<!---->z<!---->a<!---->n<!---->t<!---->M<!---->a<!---->j<!---->o<!---->r<!---->L<!---->e<!---->a<!---->g<!---->u<!---->e<!---->C<!---->r<!---->i<!---->c<!---->k<!---->e<!---->t | #<!---->T<!---->2<!---->0 p<!---->i<!---->c<!---->.<!---->t<!---->w<!---->i<!---->t<!---->t<!---->e<!---->r<!---->.<!---->c<!---->o<!---->m<!---->/<!---->A<!---->H<!---->Z<!---->p<!---->Q<!---->B<!---->Y<!---->T<!---->g<!---->J

— Major League Cricket (@MLCricket) J<!---->u<!---->l<!---->y<!----> <!---->2<!---->2<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->4

After removing Andre Russell with the ball, Kieron Pollard came up with a magical effort with the bat. Mumbai Indians New York needed to chase the target of 131 runs in 18.2 overs and his team was left tottering at 91/5. But it was the skipper who came up with a magical effort and took his team home.

Kieron Pollard scored an unbeaten 33 runs off 12 balls as he did the carnage on the bowlers. The all-rounder batted with a strike rate of 275 and slammed 2 fours and 3 sixes in his innings. His knock ensured that Mumbai Indians New York chased the target in 17 overs and qualified for the playoffs.

It was a plan that worked out in the end - Kieron Pollard on his bowling

Kieron Pollard talked about the win after the game and claimed that he was relieved. He talked about the pride he takes in performing for Mumbai Indians. The all-rounder also opened up about his bowling and stated that his plan worked out. Speaking at the post-match presentation, he explained:

"Very relieved, congrats to the entire team. The way we fought, everyone chipped in usefully. If we look at the history of how we've batted, 130 was a tough ask. But we got another opportunity, and the attitude shown by everyone was fantastic. I've had some experience, Nosthush came to me after one game and said that things would turn out well, my family was always backing me, coming from a young player, it meant a lot. I always pride myself on performing for the franchise and I'm glad it came off today.

"It was a plan that worked out in the end (on bowling the 20th over), I could've gone for 20 and they could have got past 150. I could have gone for the young guy (Rushil Ugarkar), but it was one of the days when we got what we wanted. I heard that one of the supporters in the crowd got hit, I hope she's OK and I hope we can do something for her on our part to make her happy," he concluded.