In a gripping do-or-die encounter at the Grand Prairie Stadium in Dallas on Sunday, July 21, MI New York captain Kieron Pollard delivered a pivotal moment by dismissing the formidable Andre Russell. The wicket of Russell, who had been inflicting significant damage and had raced to 35 runs off just 20 deliveries, marked a turning point in the match.
The defending champions MI New York had showcased a spirited bowling performance, reducing Los Angeles Knight Riders (LAKR) to a precarious 102-9 by the 17th over. However, Russell’s explosive hitting, which included four boundaries off Rashid Khan, Romario Shepherd, and Trent Boult, had propelled LAKR’s total past the 130-run mark.
As Russell faced Pollard in the final over, the tension was palpable. Russell attempted to pull a length delivery from Pollard but could only manage a top edge. MI New York’s wicket-keeper Nicholas Pooran sprinted to his left to make a brilliant catch, securing a crucial breakthrough. Pollard’s reaction was one of uncontainable joy. The veteran all-rounder erupted in celebration, screaming and punching the air in a display of sheer elation.
LAKR concluded their innings with 130 runs, and MI New York now faces the challenge of chasing down this total within 18.2 overs to match LAKR’s points and surpass them on net run-rate. The game is set to be a thrilling finish, with Pollard’s crucial wicket potentially being the game-changer.
