IPL 2018: Mumbai Indians' Kieron Pollard 'hungry to perform' ahead of RCB clash
Mumbai: West Indian big-hitter Kieron Pollard is ready for more challenges with Mumbai Indians (MI) in the Indian Premier League ( IPL), and has assured that there is a lot to come from him for the rest of the tournament.
Pollard was speaking ahead of the all-important encounter against Virat Kohli's Royal Challengers Bangalore here at the Wankhede Stadium on Tuesday.
"I am always hungry to perform. For me, the most challenging aspect is playing against big players. You have to practice hard as players, think about the opposition, think about what they are going to do against you. Hopefully, tomorrow will be a successful match, not only for the team, but for myself too," he said during the pre-match press conference on Monday.
Krunal Pandya bowled just five overs in the first three overs, despite taking two wickets in the previous match against Delhi Daredevils (DD). In the first match, Krunal did not bowl at all.
Pollard, however, said that Krunal will get more oppurtunities in the upcoming matches and has been an important bowler in MI's set up.
"There is no specific reason (of Krunal not bowling). There is a leader out there. He makes the decision as to who bowls when. Krunal has played an important part for us as a bowler. I am sure for the rest of the tournament, we will see more of him," he said.
In the first two matches against Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), MI failed to get the 10th wicket as both the teams completed a thrilling one-wicket win in their respective matches against the defending champions.
Pollard is confident that MI can turn things around. "I don't think we are down right now. We have got over that ( three losses), we have had conversations about it. We just need to put in some good practice before the big game (against Royal Challengers Bangalore)".
"Two of those matches were nine wickets. We just needed one wicket, that is where we need to improve. It is just a matter of trying to be consistent," he added.
The Trinidadian was all praise for fellow West Indians Chris Gayle, Dwayne Bravo and Andre Russell.
"It was pleasing to see him (Gayle) coming out and batting, and doing what he can do. It was pleasing for me to see a fellow West Indian coming out and scoring runs. Its great to see Russell, Bravo do well," he concluded.
Rohit Sharma's men will look for their first win of the season against RCB on Tuesday.
