After Romario Shepherd‘s brilliant performance led Mumbai Indians to their first victory of the IPL 2024 season, Ambati Rayudu compared the West Indian all-rounder to the legendary Kieron Pollard.
In the final over against Delhi Capitals at Wankhede Stadium, Shepherd smashed four sixes and two fours off Anrich Nortje to score an unbeaten 39 runs in just 10 balls. His onslaught propelled Mumbai to a 29-run win. Shepherd then dismissed Delhi opener David Warner, capping off a match-winning performance that evoked memories of Pollard’s heroics for MI in the past seasons.
Rayudu praised Romario Shepherd’s fiery knock, comparing him to Pollard who played an impactful role in nail-biting victories for MI.
“Yes, MI certainly miss Kieron Pollard and his expertise on the field. Romario Shepherd has stepped up admirably to fill his shoes, hitting impactful shots that evoke memories of Pollard in his prime. Shepherd has proven that is capable of winning matches for the team just as Pollard once did.” said Rayudu on Star Sports.
Romario’s 32-run onslaught in the final over propelled MI to 84 runs in the last 4 overs – the highest in the 17-20 over period in IPL 2024 and the second-highest in the tournament’s 16-year history. This remarkable cameo ensured MI had a formidable total to defend on a challenging pitch, showcasing Romario’s ability to step up under pressure.
“Every batter wants to bat for a while and get a feel for the conditions before they start hitting aggressively. However, when you’re in the 17th over, you have to go up with a clear mindset and no hesitation.” Shepherd said.
“Batting with single-minded focus can bring success. When you’re in that kind of role, you become even more dangerous, just having to hit the ball. With a “see ball, hit ball” mindset, you have a clearer focus than if you were tentative and looking for singles or doubles,” he added.