At Eden Gardens in 2013, Mumbai Indians roared past Chennai after Pollard’s blitz, and for once MSD’s chase never quite clicked
In the Indian Premier League, certain moments define careers. May 26, 2013, marked a pivotal night for the Mumbai Indians, who won their first IPL title at Eden Gardens, Kolkata. This final featured a masterful performance, a few lucky breaks, and a bit of fortune that shifted the game in Mumbai's favour.
As the 2013 IPL Final neared, an epic clash awaited between the Mumbai Indians and the Chennai Super Kings. Both had etched their names in the tournament's history. Chennai, seasoned finalists, aimed for their third title after victories in 2010 and 2011, while Mumbai sought redemption after losing to Chennai in the 2010 final, eager for their first trophy.
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Both the CSK and the MI dominated IPL 2013. CSK topped the table with 11 wins, while MI sat just behind with 11 victories of their own. The teams met in Qualifier 1, where Dhoni's men piled up 192 and bundled MI out for 144.
MI regrouped, beat Rajasthan Royals in Qualifier 2, and booked a rematch on May 26 2013, at Kolkata's Eden Gardens. A crowd of over 61,000 packed in, and hope hung in the air. Both sides knew what was at stake.
Mumbai's innings stumbled right from the start. Dwayne Smith (4) and Aditya Tare (0) fell cheaply to Mohit Sharma and Albie Morkel. Rohit and Karthik attempted to steady things, but also fell. MI limped to 52/3 after 9 overs.
Then Pollard strolled in at No. 5 with the chase precariously poised. CSK sensed an opportunity. Dwayne Bravo (4/42), Morkel (2/12), and Ravi Ashwin maintained the pressure. The scoreboard barely moved. It looked dire. Then Pollard sprang to life.
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In came the Pollard show. From the tenth over, he tore into CSK's attack. He cleared the ropes to long-on, slog-swept over mid-wicket, and launched ramp shots at fine leg. In 32 balls, he struck 7 fours and 3 sixes. The score jumped to 100/4 after 15 overs.
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Ambati Rayudu joined him briefly to help rotate the strike. Pollard kept the momentum rolling. He reached his fifty in just 22 balls. By the 20th over, MI had raced to 148/9.
Chasing 149, CSK lost Michael Hussey (1) and Raina (0) to Malinga's short ball. Murali Vijay (18) chipped in, but wickets fell at regular intervals. Dhoni came in at No. 7 with the asking rate rising. He smashed 63 not out from 45 balls, including 3 big sixes, as he looked to revive the chase. But by then, it was too late.
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CSK were 39/6 in the 8th over and never recovered. Dhoni tried to slog Pragyan Ojha and Pollard, but Chennai kept losing partners. They finished with only 125/9, 23 runs short.
When Pragyan Ojha bowled the final ball, Eden Gardens erupted. MI celebrated their first IPL title. With 60* off 32, Pollard took home the Man of the Match award. Bravo's four wickets made him the Purple Cap holder with 32 scalps. Pollard's masterclass was one of those innings that defined a final.
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Dhoni's unbeaten 63 felt heroic, yet it hardly merited headlines. For once in a big chase, Chennai's finisher ran out of time. Mumbai's pursuit of glory finally paid off. On that night in May 2013, it wasn't Dhoni's fairy-tale finish. It was Kieron Pollard's knockout punch.
