Shaun Pollock

Shaun Pollock brought priceless composure and world-class all-round value to the Indian Premier League, mainly donning the Mumbai Indians blue from 2008 to 2010. The South African legend’s pinpoint swing and clever cutters made him the go-to new-ball anchor, while his calm finishing with the bat turned many tight chases Mumbai’s way. Beyond numbers, Pollock’s razor-sharp cricketing brain shaped match plans, guiding young talents like Rohit Sharma in pressure situations. Whether leading the attack in powerplays or bowling the penultimate over, he blended economy with breakthroughs, giving MI the edge in low-scoring thrillers. His reassuring presence in the huddle and ability to adapt to sub-continental pitches made him a prized mentor-cum-match-winner.

Shaun Pollock, South Africa’s legendary all-rounder, brought his world-class pedigree to the inaugural 2008 IPL with Mumbai Indians, delivering a masterclass in economical pace bowling and late-order acceleration. In 13 bowling innings he snapped up 11 wickets—his best figures a match-turning 3 for 20—while maintaining a frugal economy rate of 6.54 runs per over. Every 25th ball fetched him a wicket, a strike-rate that kept opposition batters on a leash throughout the powerplay and death overs alike. Pollock the finisher was equally valuable. Walking in down the order, he muscled 147 runs off just 111 balls at a brisk strike-rate of 132. Forty of those runs came via 12 fours and 8 sixes—meaning more than half his boundaries cleared the rope, a testament to his clean hitting under pressure. His highest score of 33 came in just 17 balls, an inning that showcased his ability to turn a match on its head in a blink. Across eight innings with the bat and 13 with the ball, Pollock embodied the perfect T20 all-rounder: tight with the new ball, lethal at the death, and explosive when called upon to finish. His lone three-wicket haul and regular breakthroughs provided Mumbai Indians the control they craved in 2008, while his late-overs cameos gave them the X-factor that defines championship teams.

Note: This overview is partially generated using AI and is based on statistical data.