How Kieron Pollard is turning Naman Dhir into Mumbai Indians' designated finisher
On a night when Suryakumar Yadav's unbeaten 73 grabbed the headlines, it was Naman Dhir's late blitz - 24 off just 8 balls, including 2 sixes and 2 boundaries - against Delhi Capitals that told a deeper story: Mumbai Indians are grooming a new finisher. And behind this quiet transformation stands the man who once defined the role for the franchise's success - Kieron Pollard.advertisementNaman readily credited his rise in the IPL 2025 season to consistent guidance from Pollard and Hardik Pandya. In Mumbai's must-win clash against Delhi Capitals, Dhir and Suryakumar smashed 48 runs in the last two overs to propel MI to 180 for 5. The late surge shattered Delhi's plans and paved the way for a 59-run victory that secured Mumbai's place in the playoffs.IPL 2025, MI vs DC Highlights
Naman, playing his first full IPL season, has quietly built an impressive record. He has scored 186 runs in 13 matches at an explosive strike rate of 182.35 and averages 37.20 - outstanding numbers for a young batter entrusted with finishing duties."We were trying to keep things simple. We were trying to time the ball rather than muscle it. That's what we practice in the nets every day. I talk to Polly every day about this. That helped me a lot. Talking to Polly and Hardik bhai helped me a lot. Surya and Tilak's partnership was very critical. The ball was turning a bit. The wicket was slow. They gave a foundation that helped us express ourselves. I don't think they struggled. They wanted to preserve wickets for the end overs," Naman Dhir told reporters after the win over Delhi Capitals.advertisementDhir has also studied the game from the best in the MI camp- and credited their influence on his development. On a slow pitch that offered turn and required precision, Dhir stuck to the basics - an approach he said came straight from MI's net sessions."Polly has a lot of experience. He has played close to 700 games. He educates me about the strengths and weaknesses of bowlers. We also watch videos of bowlers a lot. Accordingly, I plan. Sometimes, I am able to execute it, sometimes not. Today, it was my day. The team is very happy.Delhi Capitals, who began the season with four straight wins, never recovered after losing their top order early in the chase. Without regular captain Axar Patel, they produced a flat response in a do-or-die contest. Sameer Rizvi top-scored with 39, but Delhi folded for 121 in 18.2 overs.With the win, Mumbai Indians returned to the playoffs after missing out last season. More significantly, the team now appears to have found a long-term finisher in Dhir - one mentored by a man who knows the role better than most."If MI is playing, you should expect us to qualify for the playoffs," Dhir said. "Now we're focused on the next four games - to win, and win the tournament."Stay updated on IPL 2025 with India Today! Get match schedules, team squads, live score, and the latest IPL points table for CSK, MI, RCB, KKR, SRH, LSG, DC, GT, PBKS, and RR. Plus, keep track of the top contenders for the IPL Orange Cap and Purple Cap. Don't miss a moment!
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