 The players have now begun to understand the game: Pollock
4th May 2008 23:02 IST
Agencies
Praising his teammates for defending a low total and stunning the high-flying Delhi Daredevils in the IPL clash in Mumbai today, Mumbai Indians captain Shaun Pollock said the players have finally come to terms with the Twenty20 format.
After leading the side to their second successive win that followed four straight losses, Pollock said, "We played very well in the last two games. Our juniors have started performing and the seniors are doing well. The players have now begun to understand the game."
Captaining the side in absence of regular skipper Sachin Tendulkar, Pollock led from the front as the hosts shocked Delhi Daredevils by 29 runs at the D Y Patil Stadium today.
For Pollock, who shone both with the bat and the ball, the icing on the cake was his Man of the Match award.
The Mumbai Indians, put in to bat, scored 162 for eight and then dismissed their chart-topping rivals with a performing top-order led by captain Virender Sehwag, for only 133 runs to inflict on the visitors only their second defeat in six matches.
Pollock said he felt 162 was a competitive total.
"I thought 162 was competitive. We bowled very well, took some good catches. We kept to the task and the crowd also supported us very well. At times I found it difficult to communicate to my players because of the noise, but the crowd support also lifted us," said the former South African captain who top-scored with 33 and bowled superbly to take 2/16.
Pollock said that it was important for the team to get in-form rival openers Gautam Gambhir and Sehwag out.
"For us it was important to get Gautam and Sehwag. Once we dismissed Sehwag we knew we had a chance," he said.
About the decision to bring on Dominic Thornely, who struck pay dirt by dismissing Sehwag with a low full toss, Pollock said that he felt it would be good to bring on bowlers who took the pace off the ball on this wicket.
"The lack of pace proved very effective," he pointed out.
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