Kieron Pollard finally proved his worth against Delhi Daredevils at the Brabourne stadium on Tuesday.
The West Indies all-rounder, purchased by Mumbai Indians for a record price earlier in the year, walked away with both the man-of-the-match and most sixes award for his efforts.
Pollard, criticised by various quarters for under performance thus far, silenced detractors who questioned his valuation with a significant effort when it mattered.
His unbeaten 45 helped Mumbai Indians to an impressive 183 for four batting first up.
Till his arrival at the crease, the visitors had things under control -- with Mumbai at 133 for four after the 17th over.
But in only 13 balls he changed the course of the innings, smashing five sixes and two fours.
The Trinidad-born player's aggressive batting helped the team from Mumbai add 50 runs in the last three overs -- in an unbroken partnership with JP Duminy (21 not out) -- and make a total that seemed just about enough at one stage look a formidable one at the end of the innings.
Pollard started with a six each off Sarabjeet Ladda and Ashish Nehra and then went full throttle in Andrew McDonald's final over, smashing 25 runs, including three huge sixes and a boundary.
The West Indies all-rounder was also miserly with the ball -- as his figures of 4-0-16-0 suggest -- and also ran out Paul Collingwood in his follow through.
