‘Only Kieron Pollard Can Take Such Catches’: Tendulkar Admires MI All-Rounder's Freak Catch To Dismiss Jos Buttler

One of the two spectacular catches was pulled off by Windies explosive allrounder Kieron Pollard as he grabbed a freak catch to effect hard hitting wicket-keeper batsman Jos Butler's dismissal off the bowling off MI seamer James Pattinson.

Kieron Pollard takes brilliant catch off James Pattinson's bowling to dismiss Jos Buttler (Image: IPLT20.com)

An all-round showing with the willow and white cherry helped defending champions Mumbai Indians pull off a third straight win in IPL 2020 by handing Rajasthan Royals a crushing 57-run defeat in Game 20 of the season played at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi. While Suryakumar Yadav's fiery half ton, Hardik Pandya's quick-fire cameo and Jasprit Bumrah's 4-fer headlined Mumbai's fourth win off the season, there were some brilliant catches taken by MI fielders in the outfield which turned out to game changing efforts in the course of their win against RR. One of the two spectacular catches was pulled off by Windies explosive allrounder Kieron Pollard as he grabbed a freak catch to effect hard hitting wicket-keeper batsman Jos Butler's dismissal off the bowling off seamer James Pattinson. Pollard's catch proved to be a turning point in the context of the game as Butler was going strong at one end and looked to be the lone hope  to pull off for the 'Royals' chase after their top order collapsed yet again. Opening the innings with Smith, Butler ended up scoring a whirlwind 70 (44) with the help of four fours and five sixes. In the 13th over of the MI innings, Butler attempted to heave seamer for a six over the long on region but could not time the ball to perfection and ended up skiing a catch to Pollard who was patrolling the boundary in the region. The big and burly Pollard who otherwise is extremely athletic for his frame, jumped in the air to complete the catch but ending up taking it in only his second attempt as he fumbled the ball on the first occasion.

It's that man again. Pollard!

Times his jump to perfection. Gets a hand on it, and then composes himself to take the rebound. Buttler's brilliant innings comes to an end. #Dream11IPL pic.twitter.com/0bX5Z2uprk — IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) October 6, 2020

The cricketing fraternity took note of Pollard's rather bizarre catch and heaped praises on the Windies all-rounder by flooding social media with their messages. Former MI skipper and Indian cricket icon Sachin Tendulkar who has been pretty active on social media all through the IPL 2020, lavished his admiration towards Pollard's catching effort by posting his message of appreciation.

HA HA HA.... only @KieronPollard55 can take such catches consistently! ????#MIvRR #IPL2020

— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) October 6, 2020

Two match changing, match winning catches from Anukul Roy and Kieron Pollard tonight.

— Ian bishop (@irbishi) October 6, 2020

Pollard as batsman, bowler and fielder has been marvellous again for #MI. Incredible effort to dismiss Butler!

— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) October 6, 2020