[Watch] Kieron Pollard's Animated Celebration After Dismissing Andre Russell In MLC 2024

Kireron Pollard celebrated wildly after getting the wicket of Andre Russell [X]

MI New York faced the Los Angeles Knight Riders in the 19th match of the MLC 2024. This match was being played at the Grand Prairie Stadium in Dallas. 

It was a battle of survival for the teams, as a win in this game would have meant a spot in the top four. Kieron Pollard won the toss ahead of the game and opted to field first. 

Andre Russell - Knight Riders' only resistance

The LA Knight Riders stuttered throughout their innings as the New York bowlers weaved a spell around them. Rashid Khan was the star of the act with three wickets for 22 runs from his four overs. He was ably aided by Trent Boult and Noshtush Kenjige.

The only bit of resistance and resilience from the LAKR batting line-up was presented by the Jamaican all-rounder Andre Russell. He scored 35 runs off 20 deliveries and had set himself up for the last over. Kieron Pollard took the challenge on himself and came to bowl the final six deliveries of the LAKR innings. 

Pollard gets animated after the wicket of Andre Russell

On the very first delivery of the over, Pollard went back of a length and took the pace off. The LAKR-allrounder swung hard across the line but only managed a top edge, and the ball skied up in the air towards short fine-leg. Nicholas Pooran ran from behind the stumps and grabbed the ball safely to end Russell's and, thus, LAKR's innings (as it was the last partnership). 

Pollard was seen celebrating this wicket animatedly. The emotions of the New York skipper emphasised the importance of this game. Russell could have made the difference of about 15-20 runs to the total. 

The Los Angeles Knight Riders set a target of 131 runs for the MI New York, which the defending champions chased down in 17 overs, losing only six wickets. Kieron Pollard played a brilliant cameo of 33 runs from 12 deliveries, which improved the net run rate of the team to the extent that they have now qualified for the playoffs, winning only two matches.