IPL 2016 Match vs SRH (Last Over Win)
A last-ball six from Pollard snatched a miraculous victory from the jaws of defeat in 2016.
The IPL 2016 clash between Mumbai Indians and Sunrisers Hyderabad at Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium etched itself into franchise folklore during a turbulent season. On May 8, amidst a campaign of inconsistency, MI refused to succumb to pressure in a match defined by a nerve-shredding final over. Chasing down the target with mere moments remaining, they cemented their reputation as the league's ultimate closers.
- Date
- May 8, 2016
- Venue
- Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium, Hyderabad
- Result
- Mumbai Indians won by 2 wickets
- Target
- 179 runs
- Winning Moment
- Kieron Pollard hit a six off the last ball of the match
Lore & Background
The narrative hinges on Kieron Pollard and Ambati Rayudu stitching together a partnership that defied logic. With wickets falling at regular intervals, the required run rate climbed while pressure mounted. The final over, bowled by Bhuvneshwar Kumar, became instant folklore: 13 runs needed from six balls—a scenario pundits wrote off as certain defeat for the five-time champions-to-be.
In Their Own Story
Hyderabad's floodlights hummed against the night air thick with tension. On the pitch, Bhuvneshwar Kumar adjusted his cap, eyes locked on Kieron Pollard. The scoreboard read 13 needed off six balls. A collective hush fell over the crowd, broken only by the rhythmic thud of the bowler's run-up. He delivered a yorker; Pollard dug it out for two. Another ball, another single. The equation tightened: 9 runs from 3 balls. Bhuvi sprinted in again, arm whipping through a perfect delivery that seemed destined to be a dot ball. But Pollard, the master of chaos, waited until the last fraction of a second. He swung hard—connecting with a thunderous crack as the ball soared over long-on, clearing the ropes for six. The roar that erupted was deafening; the miracle had arrived.
Reader's Guide
This match remains a masterclass in finish-line cricket. Pollard's last-ball six didn't just secure three points; it kept MI's playoff dreams flickering against the odds. It stands as proof of their never-say-die DNA, a trait that would eventually fuel their march toward another title.
Did You Know?
- Kieron Pollard scored his 10th IPL fifty in this match, hitting the winning runs off the final ball of the innings.
- This victory was crucial for Mumbai Indians' qualification campaign, preventing their elimination from the top-four race.
- Bhuvneshwar Kumar bowled a perfect final over before Pollard's shot, conceding only 5 runs in the first five balls.
- The match is often cited as one of the best finishes in IPL history due to the high stakes and the dramatic nature of the win.