I Don't Know What Kieron Pollard Was Thinking By Not Bowling Jasprit Bumrah: Kevin Pietersen

Kevin Pietersen during the mid-innings interval of the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) vs Mumbai Indians (MI) encounter at Dubai International Cricket Stadium, questioned the decision skipper Kieron Pollard of not giving the ball to Jasprit Bumrah when MI was in a dominant position.

Meanwhile, Chennai Super Kings (CSK) were pinned down at 24/4 in the powerplay by Kieron Pollard-led side. Also, Ambati Rayudu was retired hurt and was sent back to the pavilion. However, CSK made a comeback with the help of an exceptional 88* runs knock of Ruturaj Gaikwad which resulted in CSK posting 156/6 on the board which turned out to be a match-winning total.

During the mid-innings break, former England cricketer Kevin Pietersen stated that Mumbai Indians had a great start in the game even in the absence of original skipper Rohit Sharma.

“Mumbai started so well. They really got themselves into the game. They knew they needed to get themselves going. They lost their captain so he was replaced. And they started so well. CSK were 4 down very early. Ambati Rayudu retired out. When you get that many wickets early, you have to keep your foot down. You talk about momentum; you need to keep it going,” Pietersen said during the innings interval on Star Sports.

Kevin Pietersen felt that Mumbai Indians made a tactical error by not handing over the ball to star pacer Jasprit Bumrah when CSK was pinned down.

“I think Mumbai Indians missed a trick. I don’t know what Kieron Pollard was thinking by not bowling Jasprit Bumrah for 2 or 3 overs. They could have been 40/7, 50/7. CSK could have been 60, 70 or 80 all out. I’m not being silly when I say that. You have got to bowl your fast, strike bowlers.”

They were allowed into the game: Kevin Pietersen

Kevin Pietersen further added that Mumbai Indians let Chennai Super Kings make a comeback by bowling spinners in middle overs. Also, he pinpointed areas where Mumbai Indians would have been tactically smarter.

“They were allowed into the game. There is nowhere in this world that they should have been in this game. Mumbai Indians should have cleaned them out. These are things that are discussed in team meetings. If you had been 40/4 or something like that, you don’t bring spinners in and if you do, you don’t put fielders in the boundary,” Pietersen added at the end of the match.

In the end, Chennai Super Kings emerged victorious by stopping Mumbai Indians at the score of 136/8 and winning the game by 20 runs to become the number one ranked team in the standings.

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