Bumrah has taken over the mantle from Malinga: Pollard

Mumbai team all-rounder Kieron Pollard feels that pace spearhe Jasprit Bumrah has taken over mantle from Sri Lankan Lasith Malinga to become lynchpin of four-time IPL champions' bowling attack.

After picking up crucial wickets of KL Rahul, Mayank Agarwal and Nicholas Pooran in stipulated 20 overs, Bumrah (3/24) bowled an excellent Super Over against Punjab, conceding just five runs.

However, it was t eugh as Mohamm Shami bowled an equally impressive over to le match to a second Super Over in which Punjab snatched a win at Dubai International Stium on Sunday.

"He's a world-class cricketer. He has been number one in a couple of formats for a long period of time. He has learned and has grown leaps and bounds for us at Mumbai...We have comfort in him," Pollard said at post-match press conference.

"A couple of years ago, we h a fit and fair Lasith Malinga and he (Bumrah) has taken over that mantle w," he ded.

Malinga, highest wicket-taker in IPL, opted out this year citing personal reasons.

Chasing five runs in first Super Over, skipper Rohit Sharma and Quinton De Kock failed to take MI across finish line.

In second Super Over, Pollard and Hardik Pandya helped defending champions score 11 runs.

"Obviously re are decision-makers to make decision, you kw we can look at those things and say that's where we lost game but we played a very good game of cricket. We batted well," said Pollard.

Mumbai have lost two games via Super Overs. y were defeated by Bangalore earlier in tournament.

ir five-match winning streak broken by Punjab, defending champions are placed second with 12 points.

"Just a matter of improvement, each and every time we step on cricket field it is to improve and to do better. We will look back and analyse game and we will come up with a better plan and hopefully get two points in next game," said all-rounder.

Punjab pacer Chris Jordan, who bowled second Super Over for his team, was delighted to be on winning side.

"I feel like way we have played a lot of our games this season, y could have been very easily ended with us on winning side," Jordan said during post-match press conference.

"Unfortunately, that was t case. I think from last two games, specially kind of team spirit and camarerie we have shown as an entire team and entire franchise has been second to ne.

"Just gl that we have a little bit of luck going our way w but we can't rest on that," he ded.

Jordon conceded 11 runs of second Super Over. Chris Gayle n hit first ball bowled by Trent Boult for a six before opener Mayank Agarwal cracked successive fours as Punjab tched up an incredible win to keep ir IPL play-off hopes alive.

presence of big-hitting Gayle in playing XI has also inspired team.

"You can see impact legend himself, Gayle, me in last two games. Hitting a fifty after t playing for a while and n finish off game in Super Over for us. It is great to have, what I considered to be a great of game, in our team. His energy is unbelievable," Jordan said.

Punjab have got better of Mumbai and Bangalore in ir last two games, however, KL Rahul and his men have been guilty of making ir run chases too close and pacer hopes his side can close in matches quicker.

"If we want to take it to next level, we have got to keep doing simple things and hopefully finish off games a bit quick as well," Jordan ded. 

(Im credit: PTI)