Mumbai Indians’ Kieron Pollard gives a reminder of the damage he can do with the bat in IPL win over RCB

Mumbai Indians Kieron Pollard plays a shot. Punit Paranjpe / AFP

RCB 170/7 (20/20 ov)

Mumbai Indians 171/4 (18/20 ov)

Mumbai Indians won by 6 wickets (with 12 balls remaining)

Big-hitting Kieron Pollard has picked up something of an unwanted reputation over the past few seasons of failing with the bat but plucking miraculous catches out of thin air to win matches for Mumbai Indians.

Against Royal Challengers Bangalore at the Wankhede Stadium on Wednesday, the West Indies all-rounder was determined to remind everyone what he can do when he is at the crease, despite not quite middling the ball as he would have liked.

More on the IPL:

• Tuesday cover: David Warner takes Sunrisers Hyderabad a step in the right direction

• David Miller lays blame for Kings XI Punjab defeat to Kolkata Knight Riders in IPL at batsmen's feet

• Chennai reunion, fantastic Aaron Finch, Quinton de Kock century: IPL Week 2 in review

• 2016 Indian Premier League: Latest results, plus fixtures, standings

He swung hard, missed a few, top-edged for some streaky shots but he also pivoted and helped ferocious deliveries on their way over the ropes.

By the time he was done, his 40 from 19 balls, including four boundaries and three sixes, Mumbai suddenly found themselves home and dry with two overs to spare in a chase of 171.

Relief at Mumbai’s second win in this year’s Indian Premier League was evident on Rohit Sharma’s face after they looked to be swimming against the tide for most of the game. It was a bits-and-pieces performance from the batsmen but also a game in which fortune favoured the brave.

“I think this is the kind of game we wanted to play,” a delighted Rohit said after his 62 set the foundation for a late assault, earning him the man-of-the-match award.

Bangalore got off to a smooth start with openers Virat Kohli and Lokesh Rahul, in for the out-of-form Chris Gayle, and AB de Villiers rarely looking troubled.

Under pressure to buck a losing trend, Rohit rotated his bowlers and the introduction of Karun Pandya paid dividends.

From 91 for one, Bangalore had a brief collapse to 99 for four with both the well-set Kohli (33) and De Villiers (29) as well as Shane Watson (five) out in the space of 20 balls.

Sarfaraz Khan (28) and Travis Head (37) took time to find their rhythm and looked like Mumbai would limit Bangalore to less than 150. They managed 170 for seven.

Mumbai batsmen replied in similar fashion with Rohit and Ambati Rayudu (31) building the chase after opener Parthiv Patel departed early.

Every time the required run-rate crept up, Rohit or Jos Buttler (28) hit a couple of lusty blows to stay abreast.

But when Buttler departed at 140 for four and Pollard initially struggling, Bangalore sniffed a chance. That was the closest they could get, however.

"The bowlers did an excellent job," Rohit said in his post-match interview to StarSports. "The way Buttler and Pollard played today, we know exactly what they can do. And credit goes to Rayudu as well for batting brilliantly in the middle," the captain said.

Follow us on Twitter @NatSportUAE

Like us on Facebook at facebook.com/TheNationalSport